20mph limit could be extended in town

A 20mph speed limit could be introduced in Portishead High Street in a bid to slow down traffic through the town centre.

North Somerset Council is considering introducing the new limit as part of a programme of improvements to the High Street, due to get underway next month.

Council leaders have been calling for a reduction in the speed limit – which is currently 30mph – for several months.

A 20mph limit was introduced in the Cabstand and in part of Harbour Road last September as part of the trial to turn off the traffic signals.

And because it has proved successful in reducing the speed of traffic, councillors are now considering extending it. David Pasley put forward the idea of a 20mph speed limit when he was chairman of the town council last year.

Mr Pasley said: “The town is growing in size and that is bringing with it an increase in the number of pedestrians in the High Street.”