Traffic has “doubled” and speeds are “bonkers” on a Bath street – and the Clean Air Zone is to blame, residents say. 

Volunteers have set up a speed watch in Cavendish Road and clocked speeds of up to 47mph after numerous reports of near-misses, animals being killed or injured and damage to listed buildings. 

Coordinator Rachael Hushon said the group wholly supports better air quality but the road became a major north-south route after traffic lights were installed in Queen Square – a consequence B&NES Council was warned would happen.  The lights were installed to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels without having to charge private cars to enter the Clean Air Zone. 

Transport boss Sarah Warren said the knock-on effects could be addressed with a liveable neighbourhood that will be designed with residents in the coming weeks. 

Mum-of-two Ms Hushon said: “The congestion is bonkers. Speeds are bonkers. It’s just relentless. If Bath wants a bypass, build a bypass. You shouldn’t be displacing traffic from the A4 onto residential roads. 

“We have had dogs run over, wildlife killed and near misses with pedestrians. We have had lorry spillages, lorries crash into grade I-listed buildings, coaches get stuck trying to cut corners. 

“We have no traffic calming measures so the rat runners love racing up and down the road. This situation has significantly worsened since the Clean Air Zone traffic lights at Queen Square were turned on. We need change on Marlborough Buildings and Cavendish Road or a serious accident will happen.” 

Jaime Everard, who can see traffic queuing in Marlborough Buildings from his office, said he had predicted the impact of the traffic lights in Queen Square and asked why the Council was pushing traffic from a largely commercial area to residential streets. 

“I have a young child and as any parent, I’m concerned for her safety, not only due to the pollutants but also due to the increased traffic and the dangers of crossing at the junction,” he said. 

The Cavendish Road speedwatch volunteers have clocked up more than 30 hours and persevere despite abuse on every shift – drivers have sworn at them, and even tried to snatch the clipboard they use to clock anyone going over 25mph in the 20mph zone. Those who do speed get a letter from the police. 

Julia Perryman, who coordinates another speed watch in Marlborough Lane and Buildings, said there had been a “massive” increase in traffic. “Our biggest concern is an almost complete disregard for the 20mph speed limit, and driving has become very fast and frequently very aggressive,” she said. “I myself have witnessed two collisions in the last year, both needing an ambulance.” 

She said many residents’ associations in central Bath had supported charging the worst polluting cars to enter the Clean Air Zone, in addition to taxis and larger vehicles. But speed watch volunteer Robin Kerr, who chaired the Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations, said when the wider city was included in a poll, just over half of the associations opposed charging cars due to the impact on poorer residents. 

The Council ultimately concluded that it could improve air quality without charging private cars if the lights were installed in Queen Square.

Stephen Sumner, LDRS