The Parish Council remains committed to improving road safety, reducing vehicle speeds and supporting a safer, more welcoming environment for residents, pedestrians and all those travelling through the parish.

 

Following the public meeting in the parish, the Parish Council listened carefully to residents’ concerns and sought a 30mph speed limit on the A38 through the parish.

Although this was not supported by Somerset Council, the Parish Council has continued to make strong and consistent representations over a considerable period of time.

Somerset Council advised that further traffic-calming measures were not supported at that stage due to a lack of supporting evidence. However, the Parish Council remains determined to continue exploring opportunities to improve safety and support positive change.

 

Following the decision not to support a 30mph limit, Somerset Council offered to make the temporary 40mph speed limit along the A38 permanent and to fund the necessary process.

The Parish Council also sought to extend the speed limit gateway towards Badgworth, although this did not form part of the final scheme.

Information on the scheme was shared with residents so that they had the opportunity to make representations.

Members ultimately accepted the proposal as a positive and practical step towards improving road safety on the A38 within the parish. The 40mph limit is now permanent.

The Parish Council will continue to review opportunities for a further reduction in the speed limit, particularly if there are significant changes within the parish or changes to Somerset Council’s criteria for speed reduction measures.

 

Police presence in the parish

The Parish Council has requested police speed enforcement in the area in response to concerns raised by residents.

The police have advised that, due to operational pressures, enforcement resources must be prioritised at sites where they are expected to have the greatest impact. Deployment is managed across the wider area rather than within individual communities.

The Parish Council has also sought support from Somerset Councillors and will continue to advocate for the parish wherever possible.

 

Village gateways

The Parish Council successfully secured funding from Bristol Airport towards the installation of village gateways.

These gateways are supported by the police and are understood to have a positive impact on driver behaviour. They will also help create a stronger sense of place and provide a more attractive welcome to communities of Biddisham and Tarnock, replacing the faded standard nameplates.

Due to unforeseen staffing issues and procedural changes at Somerset Council, there have been delays in progressing the project. However, positive progress is now being made.

In May 2026, the traffic management team met with the Parish Council and considered the final approval for the gateways. A complete scheme is expected to be issued to the Parish Council in due course.

Once received, the Parish Council will be able to purchase the gateways with the Bristol Airport funding, after which the traffic management team will complete the project.

The scheme is also likely to include road roundels, which may help to further encourage lower vehicle speeds. Roundels are the white circles with a speed limit inside, painted on the road on both sides of the carriageway. They are often located by the smaller speed ‘repeater’ signs at the side of the road. 

 

Speed Indicator Devices

Speed Indicator Devices remain under active consideration.

Now that the A38 through Tarnock and a stretch of Biddisham is subject to a permanent 40mph speed limit, the Parish Council is reviewing this as a potential next step following the completion of the village gateways.

Speed Indicator Devices could provide a further visible reminder to drivers and support the ongoing aim of encouraging safer speeds through the parish. 

These signs are expensive and further funding will need to be sought. This is being investigated as well as the option to have a managed provision where a contractor could be engaged to provide and look after the device. 

The Parish Council will need to investigate using volunteers to manage the devices unless funding through the precept is agreed. 

 

Community Speedwatch

Community Speedwatch is a volunteer-led initiative and does not need to be organised by the Parish Council.

However, the Parish Council can make enquiries regarding local support for the scheme, particularly now that the road is subject to a permanent 40mph limit.

This could provide residents with a further opportunity to play an active role in supporting road safety within the parish.