Proposed Traffic Regulation Order: Hermitage, Bucklebury and Cold Ash 20mph speed limit (ref: 2526HERM20)

Background

One of the five priorities in the Council Strategy 2023-2027 is to 'build thriving communities with a strong local voice'. This priority commits to actions such as to work with local communities and partners to enhance our main towns and large villages and to enabling 20mph limits for residential streets where residents want it. The proposed order aims to contribute to this by reducing the speed of vehicular traffic to make the local area more attractive and accessible by non-motorised highway users. The public consultation aims to determine if a 20mph speed limit on residential streets is what the residents want.  If so, a Traffic Regulation Order must be made. 

 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  

Part of the process of making or amending a TRO is to hold a public consultation for at least 21 days. We present what changes we propose to make and our reasons why and ask whether you support, object or are impartial to our suggestion.   

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

What we are proposing

To reduce the speed limit on the following roads in Hermitage to 20mph: 

To reduce the speed limit on the following roads in Bucklebury to 20mph: 

To reduce the speed limit on the following roads in Cold Ash to 20mph:

We also propose to revoke four existing TROs that restrict unlit roads listed above to 30mph and include all of the roads from the revoked orders onto the new, single consolidated order that we are proposing to make. The result being that the proposed order would include 20mph, 30mph and 40mph restrictions but the introduction of 20mph speed limits would be the only visible change on site. Although the main purpose of this proposed order is to reduce the relevant roads in Hermitage, Bucklebury and Cold Ash to 20mph, it would be necessary to include some roads in Thatcham and Chieveley from the revoked orders into the new proposed order, which is why the proposed order refers to all five parishes in its title and schedule(s).  

We propose to make this order under Sections 84(1) and (2) and of Part IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ("the Act") and of all other enabling powers and after consultation with the Chief Officer of Police in accordance with Part III of Schedule 9 to the Act. 

You can view or download the draft TRO, statement of reasons, public notice, plans of the affected areas and revoked orders through the links below:

• Draft Order [539KB]
• Statement of reasons [409KB]
• Public Notice [548KB]
• Plan of proposed changes in Bucklebury [162KB]
• Plan of proposed changes in Chapel Row [165KB]
• Plan of proposed changes in Cold Ash [614KB]
• Plan of proposed changes in Hermitage [546KB]
• Plan of proposed changes in Upper Bucklebury [191KB]
• Revoked Order - Chieveley, Cold Ash, Hermitage & Shaw cum Donnington 2010 [1MB]
• Revoked Order - Cold Ash 1999 [139KB]
• Revoked Order - Thatcham & Bucklebury 2013 [826KB]
• Revoked Order - Thatcham & Cold Ash 1998 [138KB]

Why we want your views

We'd like to know whether you support, object or hold a neutral opinion regarding the proposals to reduce the speed limit as outlined above. As this proposal covers a wide area, you will be asked which parishes you would like to comment on. You do not have to comment on all areas.  

How to take part

If you would like to comment on the proposal, please complete our survey. It should take around five minutes. 

Complete survey 

Alternatively, you may comment by email to trafficandroadsafety@westberks.gov.uk or in writing to Traffic and Road Safety, West Berkshire Council, Market Street Offices, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5LD. Please quote the reference number: 2526HERM20 on all written responses. 

All responses must reach us by 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026 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 email Traffic and Road Safety. For general information about traffic management and road safety please visit our website here.

What happens next

All comments and objections we receive will be taken into account, and a report submitted in 2026 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 provided valid contact details 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.