MOTORISTS will be made to slow down in parts of East Dorset if a range of new speed restrictions get the green light.

Parts of Hampreston, Verwood, Ferndown and Sixpenny Handley will be the subject of discussions for councillors this week as officers recommend a series of speed limits to increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists themselves.

Proposals include redu-cing the limit from 30mph to 20mph on Village Street between Ham Lane and Manor Farm House in Hampreston.

A council agenda for the Policy and Resources committee, to be considered on September 1, sites the village school and church as reasons for a speed reduction there and refers to "consider-able traffic and a mix of vehicles and pedestrians".

"The main consider-ation is whether such a low speed limit would appear reasonable and would be observed."

Council officers are also proposing Cherry Grove - the short access to Ferndown Upper School and the Sports Centre - be given a 20mph limit, along with the B3081 through Sixpenny Handley, starting at the school, taking in The Hollow and the High Street and ending at the junction of Dean Lane.

The agenda describes Sixpenny Handley as having: "Long-standing anxiety about the con-flicts between pedestrians and vehicles."

Residents in Verwood have also been consulted over proposals to extend the existing 30mph limit on Edmondsham Road past Eastworth Farm, to include the northern junction of Eastworth Road which is a regular route for pedestrians, cyclists and horses.

East Dorset councillor Ann Warman welcomed the move but said there will always be some people who won't conform with the speed limit.

She added: "Speed indicator devices are working very success-fully, but if local people want the speed limit reduced than I would support it, although I don't know if it will solve the problem."

First published: August 30