‘Smiling Sid’ catches 80 breaking the speed limit

MORE than 80 per cent of drivers are exceeding the speed limit on a busy route in and out of Bristol, new statistics have revealed.

Abbots Leigh Parish Council has installed a speed indicator device on the A369 through the village at the junction with Dennyview Road.

Data collected from the device has revealed that more than 81 per cent of motorists have been caught exceeding the 30mph limit.

A further 23 per cent have been clocked driving over 40 mph.

One motorist was also caught driving at speeds in excess of 70mph.

The A369 is a busy route in and out of Bristol and is used by around 20,000 motorists a day, many of whom are commuting into the city.

It is also well used by heavy goods vehicles who travel along it from the M5.

The speed device has been capturing data since August. It is known as “Smiling SID” – standing for Speed Indicator Device – and the smiling face signal it A MAIN commuter route into Bristol is to close for five nights for road improvements.

The A370 Long Ashton bypass will shut from 8pm to 5am from Monday, October 14.

The road will be shut from Colliters Way – also known as the South Bristol Link Road – to the Bristol boundary.

shows to motorists who observe the speed limit.

Abbots Leigh Parish Council chairman Councillor Simon Talbot Ponsonby said: “The A369 is a very busy road and we are keen for North Somerset Council to recognise the problems with speeding traffic.

“One of the biggest issues is the junction of Dennyview Road with the A369.

“People take their life in their hands trying to get out on the A369 with the speed of traffic hurtling along it and there have been a number of near misses.

“Motorists drive down the hill far too fast and are speeding up for the limit change to 50mph.”

North Somerset Council is

A signed diversion will be put in place and access to the park and ride and David Lloyd Leisure Centre will be maintained throughout.

The work, costing £76,000, includes bridge repairs, clearing vegetation, drain cleaning and repairs and refreshing the road markings.

plannings changes to the speed limits along the A369.

The current 50mph limit on the section of the A369 from Happerton Farm to Vowles Bottom will be reduced to 40mph.

Mr Talbot-Ponsonby added: “We plan to keep the speed indicator device in place following the reduction in the speed limit to assess if those changes make any difference.

“We will be collating the data we have collected over the months and will be presenting it to North Somerset Council.

“Something needs to be done to slow traffic down permanently along this route and to improve safety at the Dennyview Road junction.”