CAMPAIGNERS in Buckfastleigh say speed limits should be slashed to 20mph in the town, to make the roads and pavements safer for pedestrians.

A petition calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced on all roads leading into and passing through Buckfastleigh, as well as a 30mph speed limit on Strode Road,

has been handed in to Devon County Council.

Around 1,000 residents of the town have signed the petition, which was organised by the town council.

Speaking at last Thursday’s Devon County Council meeting, Cllr Janet Jones, of Buckfastleigh Town Council, said: ‘The residents of Buckfastleigh request that a 20mph speed limit be introduced on all roads leading into and passing through Buckfastleigh, as well as a 30mph speed limit on Strode Road.

‘Residents feel the roads in the town are narrow and congested with parked cars and it would be safer if the speed limit was reduced to 20mph.

‘Not all the roads have pavements and those that do are very narrow and difficult for prams and mobility scooters.’

Cllr Jones is chairman of the town council’s environment and transport sub committee.

She added that areas in the town of specific concern were Bossell Road, which runs next to Buckfastleigh Primary School, the very busy Market Street, and the narrow Plymouth Road, the main road into the town, which has buses, lorries and cars moving quickly into the town.

She added: ‘Our main street, Fore Street, needs traffic slowing down as the pedestrians are very vulnerable.

‘Strode Road, which is 40mph at this present, has increased in the amount of traffic that use it and pedestrians find it difficult to cross, so we feel 30mph would be more appropriate.’

The petition was handed in to Cllr John Hart, leader of DevonCounty Council, who will now consider its contents.