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Bid to kill speed on A35
"The volume of traffic and the speed is untenable"
"The volume of traffic and the speed is untenable"
CONCERNED residents and parents in Kilmington have come together to fight for a speed limit on the A35 through their village.
A public meeting was held in the village to drum up support from local residents and councillors to try and get a speed limit put in place on the stretch of road, which is used regularly by children crossing the road for school.
Fed up that no recent action had been made to try and get the much-needed speed limit through the village, concerned parents Mike Jones and ]enny Heathman decided to come together and take action for the sake of the children’s safety before there is a fatality.
They arranged a public meeting at the Old Inn Kilmington, which was attended by more than 30 people including Chairman of Kilmington Parish Council Mike Collier and East Devon District Councillor lain Chubb.
Roger Stribling Highways Agency manager for the A30/A35 was invited to attend the meeting, as was Highways Managing Agent, Andy Kirby. Both said they were unable to attend.
When Mrs Heathman contacted the Highways agency to ask why they had no speed restrictions in place, she was told that the A35 at Kilmington is not suitable for a speed limit due to the length of the road
Mr Jones said: “Wilmington got their speed limit by protest, which is all we’re asking for. There must be a law somewhere protecting children crossing the road. There should some kind of supervised crossing. Children as young as six years old have to cross the road. What makes us different? We need a speed limit. We are not prepared to wait for a fatality. Elderly people have to cross the road to get to the bus stop and children have to run across. There must be some legislation.”
Mrs Heathman said: “We want traffic calming measures put in place, it is just terrible. The bus stop at Hill Crest and the monument have been knocked into and a young girl was knocked over.
“The village is divided by the road. The volume of traffic and the speed is untenable.
When my daughter waits at the bus stop I worry. Driving back from work it is frightening to make a right turn. People blare their horns at me and overtake at a frightening speed.”
Mr Jones added: “Over the last five years the garage, the motel, Millers Farm Shop, the skip hire, have all become much busier.
My son wants to ride his bike to school but I would never even consider it, the children need to be supervised along that road.”
Mr Jones and Mrs Heathman went on to explain to those present that direct action was needed and that they wanted to organise a protest march.
They also urged villagers to do their bit by slowing down to 30 mile per hour when driving through the village.
District Councillor lain Chubb agreed to report to Neil Parish MEP and said he would represent the village and put their case forward.
In the mean time villagers plan to get a petition going. They have scheduled a meeting for Thursday October 18th at the Old Inn at 7pm to discuss progress made.