A Westbury councillor is leading a campaign to reduce the speed limit on the A350 as traffic approaches the town from Warminster, in response to concerns from local residents.
Cllr Gordon King is calling for the current 60mph limit to be reduced to 50mph, so that vehicles begin slowing before reaching the 30mph zone. He is also advocating for the introduction of Auto Speed Watch cameras, which automatically record speeding vehicles. While these cameras do not issue fines, they act as a deterrent and provide valuable data to the police about vehicles that frequently exceed speed limits.
The move follows data gathered by the Speed Indicator Device (SID) permanently in place at Chalford, which revealed alarming figures for September, October and November last year. During this period, there were a total of 529,539 vehicle passes in both directions, with 194,790 (about 40%) travelling at speeds greater than 35mph. Shockingly, 2,522 vehicles were recorded exceeding 60mph, twice the minimum speed limit for the area.
Cllr King said, “The data speaks for itself. We have nearly 200,000 vehicles speeding through this stretch of road in three months, and over 2,500 driving dangerously fast. Residents in Chalford and Wellhead Drove have reported regular near misses, and something must be done before we have a serious accident.”
The councillor intends to raise the issue at an upcoming Westbury Town Council meeting, seeking support for the initiative before presenting the case to Wiltshire Council.
“This is a matter of public safety. By reducing the speed limit and introducing Auto Speed Watch cameras, we can encourage safer driving and provide authorities with crucial data on persistent offenders. I hope the town council will support this proposal and help make our roads safer for everyone,” Cllr King added.
The estimated cost of the scheme is around £10,000, with Westbury Town Council expected to contribute 30% of the funding if the proposal goes ahead.
