A CAMPAIGN to reduce the speed limit on a ‘dangerous’ road has reignited as supporters call for “common sense to prevail”.

Claire Pascual and Allen Cobbold, representing residents of Eversley Gardens, Kings Worthy, are asking Hampshire County Council (HCC) to change the speed limit along a 300 metre stretch of Lovedon Lane from the national speed limit of 60mph to 40 mph. This would bring this stretch of the lane into line with the rest of Lovedon Lane.

In a bid for action to take place residents have written to Cllr Rob Humby, HCC deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment.

Mr Cobbold said: “Over this period of lockdown the noise and the amount of traffic has just got worse, you wouldn’t think that people were being asked to stay home.

“We have them [drivers] put their foot down and rev up again and have motorbikes go screaming up Lovedon Lane.”

The campaign has been given the continued support of Worthys councillor Jackie Porter, who has raised this with the traffic management team at HCC for five years, but is disappointed that the council’s response has not changed.

She said: “It is frustrating when there is clear support from residents right across the village to reduce the speed here to 40 on this very short stretch of road into the Worthys. We are constantly told that things can only change if there’s an accident. I really do want HCC to cut the bureaucracy now and think ‘outside the box’ on minor changes such as this, especially in our new world of physical distancing, with more people cycling and walking.”

In response, Cllr Humby said: “I am aware of local concern about the speed limit on the southern section of Lovedon Lane in Kings Worthy. When setting speed limits, the County Council follows guidance published by the Department for Transport which emphasises the role of the road environment, existing speeds, and driver behaviour.

“Reducing the speed limit may not necessarily bring about a desired speed reduction without physical speed reducing features or regular police enforcement, both of which could only be prioritised where there is an identified safety problem

“Lovedon Lane has been reviewed a number of times in recent years, but the injury collision record has been very good compared to many locations across the county. A review last year showed no such incidents reported in the previous 10 years within the section of road where the national speed limit applies and so our limited resources have been appropriately directed to prioritise sites that have the greatest need

.”