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First Step on A35 Speed Kill Journey
DEVON County Council Executive Committee agreed to ask the Highways Agency to consider measures to help reduce the speed of traffic on the A35 through Kilmington and to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians last week.
A meeting will now take place on Friday between police, council representatives and highway officials looking at the issue, according to Axminster Sergeant Dave Sheldrake.
The movement comes after a request from county councillor Douglas Hull was agreed by the council’s executive last week and a public meeting organised by villagers in a bid to slow drivers down was held.
Councillor Hull said: “I am extremely happy. It doesn’t mean that we have won the battle. It is the first step on the road.
“The quicker it is done the better and I would love it to be done by next spring.”
Councillor Hull brought the agenda item to Devon County Council East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Cnmmittee (HATOC) on September 17th.
Members resolved for the executive to be asked to urge the Highways Agency to consider the speed safety options, which was then agreed by the executive on Tuesday, September 25th.
He made a case, which was supported by Kilmington Parish Council, for a speed restriction to he imposed on the stretch of trunk road in view of the dangers faced by local residents due to the high speed of traffic.
Reference was also made to a recent decision by the School Transport Appeals Committee in relation to the dangers of crossing the A35 through Kilmington.
However, the Area Engineer (East) reported that, given the relatively low accident record and the character of the road, the national criteria for the imposition of a speed restriction was unlikely to be met.
The county council has no jurisdiction over the Highways Agency, but can ask for the case to he considered.
Jenny Heathman, who helped organise the recent Kilmington speed meeting and will be staging a second one on October 18th, said she was pleased to hear the news although she was concerned whether it would lead to measures being put in place.
A petition has also been launched in the village backing the implementation of safety measures, which would help children walking to school and other villagers crossing the road.
A second public meeting about the speed restrictions is taking place on Thursday, October 18th from 7pm at the Old inn. Reports on progress so far are expected to be given.