Hopes of speed limit extension

Plans to reduce the speed limit along a stretch of road through a Shropshire village could be extended after residents raised concerns about speeding motorists.

Signs were put up on a section of Lyth Hill Road, which runs through Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, at the start of the year but the scheme could now be expanded after the parish council said residents wanted it to run up to the start of a public footpath.

There have been concerns about speeding through the village in the past and on the A49, which runs parallel with Lyth Hill Road.

Two years ago the parish council organised a team of volunteers to catch speeding motorists. The team used speed radar guns and passed details on to police of drivers who exceeded the limit.

The road is also near part of the Shropshire Way public footpath.

Parish council clerk Anne Chalkley said: "We wanted 30mph signs put up all along Lyth Hill Road. They didn't go as far down as Grove Lane where we wanted them.

"We want to encourage people who speed to slow down. Residents have complained for a long time.

"We've had to fight tooth and nail to get the speed limit reduced and we hope drivers will be sensible now."

Ted Clarke, Shropshire Councillor for Bayston Hill, said: "I'm very pleased it's being extended. We've wanted it for four or five years.

"The old speed limit stopped at the narrowest point of the road which was a source of constant anxiety as a lot of people walking in the park cross the road there.

"Lots of people drive up and down the road to the park which has got more popular with people outside of the village in recent months."

Shropshire Council spokeswoman Laura Owen said: "We initially went out to consultation to extend the 30mph speed limit along this road a couple of months ago.

"Signage went up as a result to extend the limit up to the reservoir. However, due to a discrepancy in the distance of the limit, it is now being re-consulted on.

"This consultation is due to end within the next couple of weeks, and if no objections are received this limit will be enforced."

By Emma Kasprzak