Topsham speeding consultation

TOPSHAM residents are invited to attend a public exhibition at Matthews Hall to express their views over proposed 20mph speed limits in the town. The consultation takes place at the hall, on High Street, next Tuesday, August 18, between 2pm and 8pm. Devon

TOPSHAM residents are invited to attend a public exhibition at Matthews Hall to express their views over proposed 20mph speed limits in the town.

The consultation takes place at the hall, on High Street, next Tuesday, August 18, between 2pm and 8pm.

Devon County Council is proposing to reduce the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph as part of ongoing measures to reduce road traffic accidents.

Officers from the local authority will be present to answer any questions residents have.

Any objections to the proposals will be considered once the advertising period to the planned changes has ended.

The scheme will then be presented to the Highways and Traffic Order Committee for a final decision.

Jack Russell, who works as a motivational speaker, is just one of a number of residents concerned about speeding in the town.

Concerned about the issue, the campaigning 42-year-old produced 'slow down' signs to warn drivers of their speed and installed them on lampposts and on the side of Denver Road.

Jack said: "You can't use zebra crossings without the feeling that you are putting your life at risk.

"The big worry is that an elderly person or child could get knocked down as things are at the moment.

"We have a potential death waiting to happen which is why I started to take action by putting signs up."

Percy Giles, police community support officer for Topsham, said speeding was a real issue of concern in the area.

"Exeter, Denver and Elmgrove roads are just some of the areas that residents have raised a particular sense of worry about," he added.

"We have been taking out a non-enforceable advisory machine out onto the roads to warn motorists of their speeds.