Petition launched for 30mph limit in Shropshire village

People in Sandford, near Prees, have launched a petition to get a compulsory 30mph limit put in place along the bendy stretch of the A41.

Councillor Paul Wynn, who represents Prees on Shropshire Council, said: "At the moment there is an advisory 30mph speed limit but we want this made compulsory. A lot of lorries use that route and are often speeding.

"I have been contacted by several residents in Sandford who are concerned about the large amount of speeding traffic in the area.

"Next week I will try and get hold of Shropshire Council's Highways Department to try and get the compulsory speed limit put in place."

A number of towns and villages have called for better speed controls in recent weeks.

A 20mph limit in parts of Wem was extended earlier this month, while villages such as Longden, Bomere Heath, and Upton Magna are also in line for 30mph zones.

Councillor Wynn said he was also looking at extending the 30mph zone outside the new doctor's surgery, a move he said was "common sense."

He would extend the 30mph zone along Whitchurch Road and Shrewsbury Street, so that drivers would hit the zone as soon as they leave the bypass.

Another area of concern for Prees residents is the A49 junction at Manor House Lane, where there have been a number of accidents. Residents say it is difficult to get in and out of their homes and have asked for a reduction in speed.

The parish council has responded by saying it would also like to see a pedestrian route from Brades Road to the cricket club, as parts of the route have no footpath.

The plea for new lower speed limit zones comes after the 20mph zone was extended in Wem town centre. The changes in Wem town centre have also come into force as part of a scheme to create a new pedestrian crossing to make it safer for people.

They will see the existing speed limit zone extend for the entire length of Drawwell Lane, Wellgate and Leek Street.

It will also be extended in Mill Street from its junction with High Street to near its junction with Eckford Park.

A pedestrian crossing is currently being created in Mill Street, which civic leaders in the town have welcomed.

Speed limits of 20mph are being imposed on thousands of roads across Britain – however Shropshire is largely bucking the national trend.

Excluding Wem, in the Shropshire Council area, there have been two 20mph schemes in the past two years – in Sandy Lane and Crowmere Road, both in Shrewsbury.