Villagers plea for 'nightmare' road speed cut

The current speed limit in Easton on the Hill is 40mph

Villagers have called for a council to reduce the speed limit on a "dangerous" and "nightmare" main road.

Marion Shepherd said her petition to have the A43, through Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire, dropped from 40mph to 30mph had been signed by 75% of residents.

North Northamptonshire Conservative councillor Helen Harrison said it was only a matter of time before there was a "very bad accident" or fatality.

The council said it had reviewed the limit based on "factors and metrics" and the "current road layout does not support a further reduction in the speed limit at this time".

Marion and Tim Shepherd said it was very hard to get out of their road and on to the A43 as motorists were going too fast

Mrs Shepherd said she had been told of near-misses and pets being hit and killed on the road.

"People don't like walking along the road, it's a nightmare for people and they all say the same thing," she explained.

Her husband, Tim, said people drive too fast.

"We're trying to prevent it rather than react after the event," he said.

"On one occasion we turned left, it was all clear and within seconds there was a HGV behind me, I had to drive on to the pavement as he couldn't stop."

Councillor Helen Harrison said for years villagers had to come to her asking for the road's limit to be reduced

Harrison said there were about 900 residents and the petition had about 770 signatures.

"It's only a matter of time before villagers feel there's going to be a very bad accident, even a fatality as a result of that difficulty of pulling out into the speeding traffic," she said.

She added that as there was a 30mph speed limit in nearby Collyweston, "it makes sense to make that whole stretch 30mph and it would be clearer to motorists".

Richard Irvin supported the reduction of the speed limit

Richard Irvin said turning out of the village was "very scary, you feel like you're taking your life into your hands every time you turn out".

"I'm sure a great many of these vehicles are going at much higher speeds. Bring it down so people can be dealt with," he added.

Angela Ellis said something needed to be done

"It's an accident waiting to happen, it should be 30," said Angela Ellis.

"It's dangerous getting out of the road, the mirror opposite does help but in the middle of winter when it's steamed up you're turning out blind, it's very dangerous."

Concerned villagers and councillors met in the village hall on Friday to discuss a possible reduction of the speed limit

A spokesperson for the authority said a new 50mph limit would be introduced along the A43 next year to "reduce overall vehicle speeds, including within existing lower speed zones in Collyweston and Easton-on-the-Hill".

It would also look at enhancing road markings as well as other reinforcements.

They said limit decisions were based on factors and metrics, and the village's section was reviewed last year.

"It was concluded that the current road layout does not support a further reduction in the speed limit at this time," they confirmed.