Yeovil speed limit flouted by four-fifths of drivers

The police are being urged to intervene after more than 80% of drivers on a road in Yeovil, Somerset, flouted the speed limit.

A speed indicator device on Lyde Road in the town recorded the motorists during an eight-day period in November.

Councillors in the area now want the police to enforce the 30mph speed limit on the road.

Avon and Somerset Police say they can put mobile speed camera vans in problem areas.

Somerset County Council gave the device to the parish council, after they voiced concerns at speeding down the stretch of road.

Tony Lock, the county councillor responsible for the area, said he was shocked at the findings as, on average, seven vehicles a day travelled at more than 50mph.

"The whole of Lyde Road has been included in a 30mph speed limit. The top end was 40 mph until just recently so perhaps some drivers think they are travelling in a 40mph zone rather than 30 mph," he said.

"The only thing that can be done is that councillors can ask the police to monitor the speed and carry out speed checks.

"There is one alternative and that's that residents in the local area can form a local speedwatch, which we know is very prevalent in Somerset. But at the moment residents don't seem to be keen to come forward."