A NEW speed limit will be implemented in a village near Ilminster after a community group’s campaign for road safety raised £4,000.

Residents in Kingstone have secured the needed funds in their effort to introduce a 30mph zone in the village and the surrounding areas of Moolham Lane and Mill Lane.

A Traffic Regulation Order has now been “sealed”, Somerset County Council have confirmed, and the calming measures are expected to be in place from April 2023.

The community group started a petition back in May 2021 to highlight the danger of the road.

Chard & Ilminster News:

The petition was well-supported by the community and since then a group of villagers worked alongside the Traffic Management team SSC, council members, and Dowlish Wake PCC to review the existing difficulties of speed, safety, and heavy lorry usage.

Kingstone Parish meeting was required to raise £4,000 before any of the work could be undertaken.

With the help of the Kingstone Parish Meeting, Dowlish Wake PCC, and donators from a wider catchment area, the funds have been raised.

Traffic Management has met with the group and undertaken a detailed site survey with recommendations for a 30mph and its extent being submitted to Avon and Somerset Police, with a subsequent public consultation completed.

There were no objections to the proposal and the 30mph is due to be installed in the forthcoming weeks.

A spokesperson for the group said: “A very big thank you to all who have supported this work.

“The fund is still open as we are reviewing our options once the Speed Limit is installed such as SIDS, Community Speed Control initiatives.

“In addition, Kingstone Village (already in a 7.5cwt limit area) has been and is continuing to undertake a Lorry Watch through the village.

“The village is hopeful that this initiative together with the 30mph will result in a safer road through the village and beyond.”

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: “The Traffic Engineering team received a request early in 2022 for a 30mph speed limit in Kingstone. Following surveys, the community approved the proposal (including sections of Moolham Lane and Mill Lane) and the Traffic Regulation Order has now been sealed.

“The signing and lining works are now with our contractor and will hopefully be installed by April 2023.”