“It won’t be long until somebody’s killed!” Campaigners back proposals to lower speed limits at Tongue End, Gosberton and Holbeach

Plans to cut the speed limits on roads across the area have been welcomed, with campaigner fearing: “It won’t be long until somebody’s killed.”

Councillors have given the thumbs up to Lincolnshire County Council’s proposals to lower limits on 10 roads.

Among them are the Counter Drain Drove at Tongue End, which could see the current 60mph limit halved for a distance of 590m.

LCC are also looking into turning 40mph carriageways at Risegate Road, Gosberton and the B1515 Fleet Road between Holbeach and Fleet Hargate into 30mph zones.

Former lorry driver and Tongue End resident Martin Maddison has long been campaigning to lower speed limits near his home.

“We’ve been wanting this for many years, because a child was knocked over down here,” said Mr Maddison, who says it’s become too dangerous to walk his dog by some nearby roads.

“A 30mph would be better because the lorries that go by and the speeding cars, it’s unbelievable.

“It won’t be long until somebody’s killed.”

Coun Jane King, who represents Donington Rural on the county council said she backs plans to lower the limit along Risegate Road.

“I all for reducing speed limits,” she said. “There are too many (speeding) problems.

“Whether changes would encourage people to slow down, I don’t know. But at least the changes would be enforceable.”

Coun King also pointed out she had called for a stretch of the A52 which runs past Donington to be cut from 60mph to 40mph. However, the limit was eventually lowered to 50mph.

“It was 40mph for 18 months when temporary measures were in place for work on the Viking Link and it worked really well,” she added.

“But bringing speed limits down is always good, especially in residential areas and where there are schools.”

Coun Paul Barnes, who represents Fleet on South Holland District Council was also in favour of the proposed changes.

“I am aware of this proposal and I and the parish council are in support of it,” he said.

“As more housing has been built along, and adjacent, to this road it can easily be classed as a built up area and therefore a speed limit of 30mph is appropriate and needed.

“I have seen more school children using the pavements over the last 12 months and crossing the road is more dangerous and difficult when vehicles are travelling at 40mph, and faster.

“Just changing the limit to 30mph will not necessarily solve the problem of speeding drivers and so we will be embarking on an education period, utilising our Community Speed Watch team and newsletters etc.

“If this doesn't work, then we will have to investigate enforcement measures that may be available.”