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Residents invited to shape plans for safer roads in West Dean

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Residents, businesses and communities across West Dean can help shape proposals for lower speed limits as Gloucestershire County Council launches public engagement.

The plans are part of Gloucestershire County Council's Safer Roads and Community 20s programme. The aim is to make everyday journeys safer by reducing speeds where people are most at risk.

The proposals would bring more consistent speed limits to communities across West Dean, including Parkend, Elwood, Sling, Bream, Whitecroft, Pillowell, Yorkley Slade, Edge End, Berry Hill, Five Acres, Cannop, Viney Hill and Oldcroft. A 20mph speed limit is proposed for most residential streets, focusing on places where people live, shop and travel locally.

Some key routes into the villages and hamlets are also proposed to have lower limits, helping drivers make a safer transition into 20mph areas. Together, the proposals aim to reduce collision risk and make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more attractive choices for local journeys.

Existing 30mph, 40mph and 50mph speed limits will be retained in locations where they remain appropriate and are working effectively.

West Dean is among the first tranche of locations being considered through the Safer Roads and Community 20s programme. The area scored highly in Gloucestershire County Council's prioritisation exercise, which brought together road safety and public health factors alongside expressions of interest from West Dean Parish Council.

Between 2021 and 2025, 121 road casualties were recorded across West Dean, with 31% resulting in people being killed or seriously injured. Most casualties were recorded on the area's main road network, with 61% on major roads. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists accounted for 24% of all casualties.

Public engagement opens on Tuesday 3 November 2026, and will run until midnight on Sunday 13 December 2026.

People can explore the plans online, leave comments on an interactive map and share their views through a survey here:

West Dean – Safer Roads and Community 20s | Have Your Say Gloucestershire

Paper copies of the engagement materials and hard-copy surveys are also available at West Dean Parish Council Offices, Bream, GL15 6JW.

People can also speak directly with the project team at the following events:

  • In-person pop-up event: The West Dean Centre, High Street, Bream, Gloucestershire, GL15 6JW on Wednesday 18 November 2026, from 10am to 6pm.

  • Online webinar: Thursday 26 November 2026, from 6pm to 7pm. Please register via this link: Safer Roads and Community 20s: West Dean

If there is community and stakeholder support, a formal Traffic Regulation Order and statutory consultation process will be launched in early 2027, with any approved changes expected to be introduced in mid-2027.

Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Road Safety, said: "We're asking residents, businesses and local organisations across West Dean to take a look at the proposals and tell us what they think. Local feedback is an important part of the process and will help us understand the priorities of communities across the area.

"These proposals are about making our roads safer and reducing the risk and severity of collisions, while creating conditions where people feel more comfortable walking, wheeling and cycling. I would encourage everyone who lives, works or travels through West Dean to have their say."