Speed limits to be cut to 30mph (From Andover Advertiser)

Speed limits to be cut to 30mph

2:00pm Thursday 23rd April 2009 in Search Module By Ben Ellery

SPEED limits are to be cut in 15 places in Basingstoke and Deane as part of a county-wide campaign.

During the coming weeks, the areas will have their speed limits reduced to 30mph under the second phase of the Hampshire County Council Village 30 scheme.

The change will be backed by widespread promotion of the Choose 30 road safety message, asking drivers to respect the new speed limits.

The areas to be included in the latest phase of the campaign are:

• Ashford Hill with Headley
• Axford
• Baughurst
• Bradley
• Bramley Corner
• Burghclere
• Cliddesden
• Echinswell
• Mortimer West End
• Newtown
• Overton
• Ramsdell
• Sherborne St John
• Silchester
• Stratfield Saye

Christopher Surtees, a Baughurst parish councillor, said: “Everyone in the village is in favour of the speed limit reduction. At the moment, the speed limit is 40mph, even by the school and it’s just madness.

“A reduction is something the parish council has been supporting for a long time. There are too many people driving too fast, and around here we have lots of people on horses and on bicycles.”

The speed limit changes are being made to 73 places around the county in line with revisions to Department for Transport guidance that recommends villages should have speed limits comparable to similar roads in urban areas.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Hampshire County Council executive member for environment, said: “Our real aim through the Village 30 scheme and the Choose 30 campaign is to get motorists to moderate their driving, respect the speed limit and be more aware of the village communities they are passing through.

“Put simply, the initiative is really about reducing speeds, increasing safety and improving the quality of residents’ lives not punishing drivers.”