CAMPAIGNERS have unveiled a community-led plan to tackle issues around road safety. 

Residents in Poundbury are asked to consider what is appropriate for the roads in their neighbourhood.

Dorset Council and other public bodies are actively encouraging locals to get involved in proposing road safety measures they want to see from the local community.

The Poundbury Residents' Association has acknowledged, following recent discussion and workshops, that this is an important issue for residents, which were ranked among their top four concerns and priorities.

To respond to these concerns, the association have come up with a number of local initiatives into road safety project framework.

The initial initiatives include looking into reducing the speed limit across the residential, retail and school areas of Poundbury and encouraging more goods vehicles and through traffic to ‘by-pass’ the development, using the 30mph road of Middle Farm Way.

This comes after more than 10,000 motorists were clocked driving over the speed limit on Peverell Avenue East last year. 

A major concern brought up by Poundbury residents during recent meetings has been the levels of parking within the development without a lack of restrictions.

The association would like to educate drivers in a bid to change their behaviour concerning parking within 10 metres of a road junction, which is illegal under the Traffic Act 1988.

Graham Vingoe, the campaigner who has led the 20mph speed for Poundbury has said he is all for the support of the association in tackling road safety in the area.

He said: “Obviously a reduced speed limit is very important, and to be successful in this, the project has to be community led.

“With regards to parking illegally, the fatal incident some years ago might not have occurred due to the lack of reduced visibility in the road. It really is an accident waiting to happen if you park within 10 meters of junction.

Mr Vingoe has also praised the association’s vision to create a ‘by-pass’ for traffic on Middle Farm Way. He said: “This is a much, much safer route and is designed to stop people using the Peverell’s as a rat run.”

He added that he though the association has got a ‘good future ahead of itself’ after formulating the initiatives.

Simon Standish, current co-chair of the residents' association said: "It's a project that is still within the early stages, and we are starting with the 20mph campaign which will branch out from there.

"Parking is also an issue that has been raised- and as road safety was highlighted as a priority project in our January meeting, we thought we would get cracking into this first."

The association will look to work closely with the Duchy’s Road Safety Group which includes important partners such as the police, local authorities, Damer’s First School and the local Community Speed Watch.

The initiatives are part of the association's branch from benefitting residents to serve the wider community as a whole. 

A survey for the level of resident's support will be issued by the association over the next few weeks, but resident's are advised to email roadsafety@lovepoundbury.org with any thoughts.