Hungerford Town Council to push for speed limit reduction

Town councillors have vowed to hold highways chiefs' feet to the fire over a promise to review a speed limit.

Members of Hungerford Town Council's highways and transport committee made the commitment to concerned residents.

Several local people made impassioned speeches about the dangers pedestrians and motorists faced on Sanham Green and Horn Hill in Hungerford.

Currently the route is unrestricted, meaning 60mph is the de facto limit.

One resident described how her stationary car was struck by another as it whizzed past, causing £12,000 worth of damage.

She said: "They don't have any regard for the conditions on the road, its narrowness or the fact that there are dips.

"It's really dreadful."

Another resident, Paula Dart, said: "I can't remember the amount of times I've almost been clipped by cars while walking with a child.

"There's lots of walkers and elderly people about."

She pointed out that a 30mph speed limit had been introduced on the common to protect the cows and added: "I asked the [district] council why we couldn't have a 30mph speed limit and I was told there are less people living here – are our lives worth less than the cows'?"

Nick Cockroft told councillors the route was used as a "rat run through to the common" with some motorists driving at 70mph.

Councillor Richard Hudson told the meeting on Monday night, November 28: "It's been a problem for many years."

He said West Berkshire Council had monitored the traffic on the route at the request of district councillors and added: "The average speed was 32mph but the problem is the wide range, with lots of traffic going very quickly.

"And sat navs will say the limit's 60mph, even if that's not appropriate for the conditions."

Another resident said: "Although it's a national speed limit, the road is just not suitable for 60mph.

"You should not drive so fast that you can't stop if there's a problem."

Town mayor Helen Simpson warned residents to expect a protracted campaign, pointing to the battle to reduce the speed limit on the common from 40mph to 30mph.

She said: "That got kicked out twice and I had to literally beg them to reconsider.

"It took years but eventually, somehow, it went through after a long, drawn-out process."

Mr Hudson said West Berkshire Council's highways department had committed to add the Sanham Green and Horn Hill area to the list for its next regional speed limit review.

The committee meanwhile voted unanimously to support the campaign for a 30mph limit.