Traffic speed and volume monitoring carried out across multiple local roads between 18 August and 8 December 2025 has provided a detailed picture of driver behaviour and compliance with posted speed limits.
The data, collected from Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) installed at various locations, reveals that the vast majority of vehicles are travelling within or close to the applicable speed limits, though a small number of isolated high-speed incidents were recorded.
“It’s reassuring to see that most drivers in Bridgwater are respecting speed limits, especially in residential areas where safety is paramount,” said Cllr Tim Mander for Bridgwater Town Councils Transport Forum. “This data helps us identify where further action may be needed and supports our commitment to keeping our roads safe for everyone.”
Across the monitored locations, average speeds generally ranged from around 18mph on quieter residential streets to approximately 29mph on busier thoroughfares. The 85th percentile speeds, the speed at or below which 85% of vehicles travel, were typically at or below the local posted limits, demonstrating overall compliance.
Traffic volumes varied by location, reflecting typical commuter and residential usage patterns.
Key Findings
- Broadway recorded around 300 vehicles per hour at peak times, with an average speed of 24.7mph and a highest speed of 58mph.
- Westonzoyland Road saw very high compliance, with over 97% of vehicles at or below 30mph; the highest speed was 46 mph.
- Holford Road had light traffic and low speeds, averaging 18–19mph, with no significant speeding incidents.
- Eastern Avenue monitored over 14,000 vehicles, most between 20–30mph, with a few exceeding 40mph.
- Bristol Road recorded an average speed of 25.3mph and a maximum of 89mph, the highest speed recorded across all sites.
- Durleigh Road saw around 63,000 vehicles, with average speeds near 30mph and some exceeding 50mph.
- Northgate and West Street had heavier flows, with West Street recording over 92,000 vehicles and an isolated high-speed reading of 74mph.
- Other roads, including Parkway, Bath Road, and Wills Road, showed strong compliance, with average speeds in the low 20s and only rare outliers above 60mph.
The most extreme speed recorded during the monitoring period was 89mph on Bristol Road, an isolated late-night incident.
Overall, the latest SID monitoring programme shows that drivers generally respect local speed limits, particularly on residential streets where compliance often exceeds 95%.
Although a small number of high-speed events were recorded on some busier roads, these represent isolated incidents rather than widespread non-compliance.
The data will be used to inform ongoing road safety discussions.