People power signs help cut traffic speed
Residents of a village in Shropshire plagued by speeding motorists have put up their own road signs warning drivers to slow down – and they appear to be working.
People in Middleton, near Ludlow, decided to take matters into their own hands after many motorists ignored the 30mph limit through their quiet village.
The prominent signs erected by villagers not only vividly show the speed limit on the B4364 in Middleton but also bear slogans such as "Drive Like Your Kids Live Here".
Three signs in a row spell out the message "Not 50", "Not 40" "30".
The people power action was the brainchild of a group in the village – Middleton Against Speeding Traffic – formed to combat the high-speed menace.
Founder and Bitterley Parish Council chairman Henry Chance said: "We have been campaigning against speeding drivers passing through the village for years.
"Shropshire Council put a 30mph limit in place about six or seven years ago but vehicle monitoring carried out last autumn showed average speeds hadn't changed at all.
"One would have expected speeds to have reduced, at least a little, but the council survey found 85 per cent of vehicles came through from the Bridgnorth side of the village at an average of 47mph.
"They have to slow down to about 20-25mph to negotiate a sharp bend in the village but then speed up again to 40-45mph on their way out.
"Several people in the village wanted to do something about the problem and so we formed the MAST campaign group."
Mr Chance said the campaigners contacted Shropshire Council before putting up the signs to inquire about their legality and were told that as long as they did not interfere with drivers' eyelines or imposed on people's private property they were all right.
Glyn Shaw, Shropshire Council environmental maintenance officer in the south, said: "I have had two meetings with the Bitterly Parish Council and done a site walk with an appointed action group to research the area and problems.
"From our meetings we have agreed remedial measures, regarding road marking and sign visibility and numbers, to reinforce the message that Middleton is a 30mph limit.
"My next step is to carry out all the relevant site surveys and once that is done, contact our contractor, Ringway, to get a quote for putting the measures we have decided on in place."
