Residents call for lower speed limits

The call comes from people living in Much Wenlock who claim speeding motorists cause a continuous problem.

Angry residents say the town is facing serious problems from speeding, parking and noise from traffic. They say the town is not designed to cope with modern-day traffic.

The claim its historic character is being destroyed.

Tish Farrell, editor of website Wenlock Eye, said speeding was a common problem in Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth. "It will continue to be a problem until speed limits in communities are reduced, regularly enforced and drivers warned of their potentially dangerous behaviour," she said.

Ms Farrell said the problem was worse in Much Wenlock because of its narrow streets and the close proximity of houses to the edge of the road surface.

She claimed some roads were not wide enough for two lorries to pass without encroaching on house fronts or mounting pavements.

Last year Shropshire Council fitted bollards in some streets to protect pedestrians from trucks and instal- led speed warning signs.

"While residents are grateful for these measures it is a sad fact that they do not deter 25 per cent of habitual road users who are determined to drive too fast past homes, schools and hospitals," said Ms Farrell.

She added: "Many residents want the police to be trained to use speed guns."

Shropshire Council principal engineer Alice Dilly said traffic calming measures would be introduced shortly on the A458 in the town.

"Measures have also been introduced over the past 18 months on Sheinton Street to discourage vehicles from speeding along this narrow road," she said.

"Improvements included interactive signs on both approaches highlighting the narrow road, interactive speed signs on both approaches to the school and bollards on the pavements."

She added: "We are not aware of any further requests for additional measures, however we will consider any that are received."

By Brett Gibbons