Victory after two-year campaign to reduce speed limit in Shropshire village

Shropshire Council has agreed to halve the limit in Weston Lane, in Weston.

It will be cut from 60mph to 30mph after members of the village community claimed the speeds vehicles were travelling on the road were unsafe.

To highlight the problem, residents launched a petition, as well as carrying out traffic surveys on the road.

The local authority has confirmed money has now been put aside in its capital programme for the change.

The council also said a consultation would be carried out in the coming months.

Councillor Joyce Barrow said the news was a “huge triumph” for village campaigners.

She said: “Speeding has been a real concern in the village for a number of years now.

“It’s a really dangerous, windy stretch of road that many residents and children use.

“Although the speed for the road was national speed limit, that certainly wasn’t right for the road.

“So of course the community is delighted that money has been put into the capital programme.

“I’m thrilled for local residents, in particular Joan Collins, who has led the campaign and has worked tirelessly for this.”

Councillor Barrow said a petition had been set up and surveys carried out late last year.

A meeting was held with the parish council, as well as Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and the Highways and Safer Routes Partnership at Shirehall.

“It was to show what residents had encountered while monitoring vehicles on the busy stretch of road.

She added: “I’m not sure where the change is coming into force yet but it won’t be until the plans are drawn up and consulted on.”

Councillor Barrow said David Gradwell, Shropshire Council’s highways officer, and the team would now work with design consultants Mouchel.

She said that when proposals had been drawn up, the the county council be carrying out a consultation with Oswestry Rural Parish Council and village residents.