Proposed Traffic Regulation Order: Sulhamstead Hill, Sulhamstead - 30mph speed limit (Ref: SLR2404)

Background

The speed at which traffic moves on our roads is one of the main factors in fatal incidents, and West Berkshire Council has a responsibility to make sure our roads are safe. We work with the police and local parish and town councils to introduce measures to help keep speeds within safe limits.

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document that must be made by the Local Authority under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in order to regulate or restrict the public highway in any way. A TRO can restrict the use of the public highway in many ways, either permanently, experimentally or temporarily. The most common ways are:

• closing the road
• speed restrictions
• weight/width/height restrictions
• prohibiting certain movements
• restricting parking in some way  

The extension of the 30mph speed limit on Sulhamstead Hill to the A4 was put forward by Ward Members in 2024. The decision to take these proposed changes forward to the next stage of the process was made democratically through our Speed Limit Review Task Group and Individual Executive Member Decision. As a result, the proposal to extend the 30mph speed limit from the western end of Sulhamstead village to the A4 is included in the 2025/26 Network Management Works Programme to be put out to public consultation.

To find out more information on how speed limits are set on local roads, please visit our webpage.

What we are proposing

West Berkshire District Council proposes to make an Order under Sections 84(1) and (2) and Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which is to extend the existing 30mph speed limit in Sulhamstead village all the way to the A4. The reason for this is to reduce the risk of danger to highway users and improve accessibility of local amenities and attractions. To achieve this new restriction and consolidate the existing order, the proposed order would also revoke Royal County of Berkshire (Restricted Roads) (Sulhamstead Road/Sulhamstead Hill, Sulhamstead) (No:4) Order 1986 in its entirety and and with the exception of the changes made by the proposed new order, all other limits referred to in the proposed new order are consolidations of the 1986 order that is to be revoked.

The proposed order refers to a relatively straight section of C class road that links the A4 Bath Road to Sulhamstead village and the rural villages beyond. The road in question passes over the Kennet and Avon Canal by way of a swing bridge and has a handful of properties along it. The road is also popular with ramblers and dog walkers as the public car park allows easy access onto the canal towpath. There is also a public house and cricket ground at the northern end, adjacent to the A4 Bath Road.

You can also view and/or download the draft order, revoked order, public notice, statement of reasons, and plan of the affected area through the links below:

• Draft Order [493KB]
• Revoked Order (1986) [104KB]
• Public Notice [518KB]
• Statement of Reasons [481KB]
• Plan of the proposal [212KB]

Why we want your views

We'd like to know whether you'd like to express your support, record a neutral position or lodge an objection to the proposal to reduce the speed limit from derestricted down to 30mph.  

How to take part

Copies of the draft order, draft notice, statement of reasons, plan of the proposals and revoked order can all be inspected during the hours of 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, at main reception on the ground floor of West Berkshire Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD. If you'd like to comment on the proposal, please complete our survey by midnight on Wednesday, 3 September 2025. It should take about five minutes.

Complete our survey

You may also comment by email to Trafficandroadsafety@westberks.gov.uk or in writing to the Traffic and Road Safety Team, West Berkshire Council, Market Street Offices, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5LD. Please quote the reference number: SLR2404 on all correspondence. All responses must reach the Transport and Road Traffic Team by Wednesday, 3 September 2025 if they are to be considered.

Any personal information you choose to provide will be kept confidential and used in accordance with our privacy notice.

If you have any questions about this TRO, please contact the Transport and Road Traffic Team .

General information about Traffic Management and Road Safety.

What happens next

All comments and objections we receive will be taken into account, and a report submitted in October 2025 for consideration by Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment and Highways, who will decide how to proceed.

If the decision is to approve the proposal, the change will be implemented as soon as our Highway Contractor is able to programme the works. 

After the consultation has closed, if the decision is made to introduce the new speed limits, all objectors who have requested feedback will be informed accordingly.

We aim to publish on this page a summary of the responses we received, and the decision taken, within three months of the consultation closing.