Village speeding issues discussed by councillors

And parish-council chairman Jeff Watson believes the introduction of a reduced limit should be investigated in the future.

The issue was discussed at last Thursday’s parish-council meeting.

Resident and businessman Rod Galilee said that a traffic survey had revealed that motorists were travelling through the village at an average speed of 23mph. This prompted Coun Watson to say that the installation of a 20mph speed limit should be looked into in the future.

Meanwhile, speeding through the Birling area on the approach to the village was also discussed.

In a letter to the parish council, resident Charles Belcher claimed that drivers routinely exceed the 30mph speed limit in both directions, some by a considerable margin.

He said that this poses a real threat both to pedestrians going to and from the village and residents entering and leaving their property by car.

Mr Belcher put forward a number of suggestions which could be raised with Northumberland County Council and the police to try to tackle the issue.

These were placing reminder 30mph signs nearer Birling in both directions, a concealed entrance sign and overt police monitoring of speed in either direction.

The parish council agreed that these were sensible suggestions and would submit a request to the county council and Northumbria Police, along with asking for 30mph to be painted onto the road and the installation of a flashing speed sign.

Mr Belcher would be informed of any progress.