Council call for reduced speed limit

PARISH councillors in Cleeve are calling for a reduction in the speed limit on the main road through the village following a series of accidents.

Councillors have written to North Somerset highways chiefs asking for the current 40mph limit through the village to be dropped to 30mph.

The move follows a number of accidents on the bend by Holy Trinity Church, including one last month.

The accident saw a driver lose control of his car and plough through the wall of the churchyard.

The wall then toppled on to a grave, knocking it over.

There have been a number of accidents over the last few years at the bend and also at the junctions of Bishops Road and Meeting House Lane with the main A370 which goes through the small village.

The road is a main commuter route between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol and is used each day by thousands of motorists.

Parish leaders also want to see the limit reduced from the lay by near Cleeve Nurseries at Heron Green to the bottom of Rhodyate Hill.

They are also asking for the 50mph limit from the outskirts of the village to the bottom of Rhodyate Hill in Congresbury to be reduced to 40mph.

Cleeve Parish Council clerk, Nicola Milton, said: "The A370 is a busy route and the parish council is concerned about the number of accidents which have happened in the village.

"There have been several accidents over the years and the wall surrounding the church has been knocked down on numerous occasions. The council is keen to see a reduction in the speed limits in the hope that it will go some way to reducing accidents along this busy route."

The pleas come at the same time as North Somerset Council is conducting a review of speed limits along its main routes.

The authority is consulting with parish and town councils along the main routes across the district to see what, if any changes, are needed.

Details of how to register comments can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/speed

.