New 20mph speed limit signs vandalised

One of the vandalised 20mph signs in Saltash

New 20mph speed limit signs installed in a Cornish town have been vandalised.

Resident Ria Cohen said the new signs in Pillmere Drive, Saltash, had been spray-painted just days after they were put up.

Cornwall Council said new 20mph limits were being introduced to make residential streets and built-up areas across the county safer.

Ms Cohen said she welcomed the new limits as the area had been "plagued by drivers going too fast".

'Happy with 15mph'

Cornwall Council said new 20mph speed limit signs were being rolled out in Saltash as part of the "Cornwall Gateway" area, following public consultation.

It said the programme was supported by many residents, with the council receiving more than 150 requests from communities across Cornwall wanting to see speed limits reduced. 

Ms Cohen said she was dismayed when the signs were vandalised as soon as they were installed.

"I think 20 is plenty in this area and I would have been happy to see a 15mph limit.

"This used to be a quiet estate but it is now plagued by drivers going too fast.

"One day I was walking my dog and was nearly knocked down."

'Positive response'

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said the defaced signs had now been cleaned.

They said a review of the first phase of the 20mph roll out in Camelford, Penryn and Falmouth had been positive, with reduced speeds detected at most sites.

They added: "We know speed is an issue residents care about and people across Cornwall volunteer their time as part of community speed watch groups to encourage motorists to think about their speed.

"We are currently rolling out the 20mph in Cornwall Gateway – including Saltash – and this work is due to be completed by the end of this month.

"The painted signs have been cleaned."