CAMPAIGNERS and councillors are demanding a reduction in the speed limit which would restrict all roads in the district s villages to 30mph. Cambridgeshire County Council needs to review all 600 miles of A and B rural roads in the county by 2011, and is w

CAMPAIGNERS and councillors are demanding a reduction in the speed limit which would restrict all roads in the district's villages to 30mph.

Cambridgeshire County Council needs to review all 600 miles of A and B rural roads in the county by 2011, and is working towards the 30mph village speed limit.

Councillors in Huntingdonshire are backing their county colleagues and are urging them to scrap the remaining 40mph plus speed limits that still exist in a few villages.

The move has been welcomed by villagers in Tilbrook, where there is a 40mph limit, and residents who want "better enforcement" of speed limits in their villages.

The chairman of Tilbrook Parish Council, Cllr Carl Haynes, said the village had been offered a 30mph limit at the end of last year, after a four-year campaign. However, it was offered by CCC only if residents agreed to speed cushions on the high street.

Some householders objected to the cushions, fearing the vibrations from traffic crossing over them would damage their properties, and the campaign reached a stalemate.

A review of village speed limits could see the 30mph plans revived.

However, Ramsey district councillor Ray Powell believes lowering the speed limit would make no difference unless it is enforced. Last week he launched a petition, which has been presented to CCC, calling for traffic calming through the village of Forty Foot where he says the existing 30mph speed limit is ignored.

He has also been campaigning for three years for the speed limit along Ramsey Heights to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

He said he has also been working to get the 30mph speed limit enforced along Oilmills Road in Ramsey Mereside. Villagers claim it is largely ignored.

Cllr Powell told The Hunts Post: "I have already petitioned the county council for speed calming there. Residents have a horrendous time. It's very dangerous and it is also damaging the houses.

"People are putting their houses up for sale. It's very sad."

Oilmills resident Robert Mumford said residents had put their case to the Ombudsman but claimed they were told no action would be taken until there was a death or serious injury.

He added: "We want action before someone is killed or hurt, not afterwards."

INFORMATION: The Government wants councils to set more appropriate speed limits that reflect the needs of all road users and allow people to understand why the limit has been set.

The aim is to reduce accidents and improve the quality of life for people living near the roads.

The Department for Transport is currently consulting councils before bringing in new regulations.