Residents urged to comment on proposed 20mph speed limits

RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on proposals that could see 20mph speed limits introduced across much of Buckfastleigh.

Devon County Council has launched a consultation on plans to change speed limits on a large number of roads in Buckfast and Buckfastleigh, with the authority saying the proposals are aimed at improving road safety.

The council is proposing to introduce 20mph limits on specified sections of more than 30 roads, including Fore Street, Bridge Street, Church Street, Chapel Street, Station Road, Plymouth Road, Bossell Road, New Road, Market Street, Silver Street and West End Road.

Other roads included in the proposals are Barn Park, Bossell Park, Crest Hill, Duckspond Road, Elliott Plain, Elm Bank, Fairy Lane, Fullaford Park, Gipsy Lane, Glebelands, Hole Road, Jordan Street, Little Bossell Lane, Mardle Way, Moorland View, Newcause, Oaklands Park, Oaklands Road, Rangers Close, Timbers Road and Wallaford Road.

A 20mph limit is also proposed for specified sections of access to Newson Buildings, Coxhill Cross to Tweenaways, Oaklands Park, Timbers Road and other residential streets.

At the same time, the council is proposing a 30mph limit on specified sections of Higher Mill Lane and Hole Road, which currently have restricted-road status.

The proposals form part of a review of existing speed limits in the area.

Devon County Council says the intention is for the 20mph restrictions to cover the majority of residential and retail streets in Buckfastleigh that are currently subject to 30mph limits.

Reducing speed limits is intended to reduce the likelihood of collisions while improving the amenities of the areas affected, the council says.

The authority also says the changes would consolidate existing speed limits and remove restricted-road restrictions from sections where street lighting has been installed.

The proposed restrictions are being made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

The council says they are intended to prevent danger to people using the roads, facilitate the passage of traffic – including pedestrians – and improve local amenities.

People living in the affected areas, as well as other interested parties, can submit comments on the proposals either in writing or online.

Anyone responding to the consultation is asked to specify which proposal they are commenting on and give the grounds for their objection or other comments.

The draft order, plans and statement of reasons can be viewed online through Devon County Council's traffic regulation order website.

Documents are also available to view during normal office hours at County Hall in Exeter, while free bookable computers are available at libraries across Devon.

Comments will be anonymised before being sent to members of the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) for consideration.

Residents and other interested parties have until September 11 to make their views known on the proposed changes.