Councillors have backed a ‘no brainer’ proposal to reduce the speed limit at an accident blackspot.

At a Dorset County Council regulatory committee, councillors voted to recommend reducing the speed limit both ways on the A353 White Horse Hill between Osmington and Preston, Weymouth.

The proposal, based on a report by the service director of highways Andrew Martin, suggested a reduction of the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph over a 0.7 mile stretch.

Mike Potter, collision reduction team manager for Dorset Highways said the road had a history of collisions with seven accidents in the last five years, of which at least two were serious.

“The section of the road contains three farms and three businesses and during the summer traffic increases significantly,” he said. 

Residents and members of the parish council raised their concerns to the committee with several saying drivers saw the 60mph limit as a challenge. 

The stretch of road lies between two 30mph limits and residents said vehicles did not slow down in time.

Resident and member of Osmington Speed Watch Hilary Ballard said: “It’s impossible for cars to be ready to do 30mph coming down the hill.” 

Preston resident Justin Measures said: “Driver behaviour has to be taken into account. 
“The speed limit has to change as there is more cycle traffic, more horses and more people walking on the road.”

He added the road towards Preston was very steep and drivers did not slow down when they hit the 30mph speed limit which had led to several accidents.

Cllr Jean Dunseith said to go from 30mph to 40mph and back to 30 ‘made sense’.

Cllr Beryl Ezzard said the dangers of the road were only getting worse with additional camping and the PGL site.

“It’s a no brainer. It’s an accident waiting to happen,” she said.

However, resident Mr Culley said he thought the speed reduction was unnecessary as a county council speed survey showed the mean average speed was approximately 40mph.

“If safety is the prime motivator, it’s clear drivers are self-regulating already,” he said.

However, committee chairman Cllr David Jones did not back the proposal saying it was a knee-jerk reaction. 

He added he believed drivers would be encouraged to speed by unnecessarily slow speed limits.

Cllr Jones said: “I am not able to support this proposal because the evidence brought forward has not been convincing and does not meet the balance of probability,” he said.

Of the committee, 12 councillors voted in favour to recommend the reduction to the council cabinet with Cllr Jones abstaining.

The cost of the speed reduction would be £2,750. 

Dorset County Council’s cabinet will make the final decision on the proposal. 

Reduced limit backed for part of C12 

The regulatory committee also voted in favour of recommending a reduced speed limit for part of the C12 (Old Sherborne Road), north of Dorchester. 

The reduction would affect a stretch of road, just under a mile long between lower Burton and Charminster.

Cllr Jean Dunseith said the reduction of the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph was in line with the council speed survey which suggested the mean average speed of drivers was approximately 40mph.

Mike Potter, collision reduction team manager for Dorset Highways said the highways recommendation used to be based on the speed of majority of drivers but they now following DfT guidance which the county council adopts as its speed limit policy.

They also consider the mean average speed, the layout and use of the road and the impact on the community.

Due to multiple entrances, side roads and increased traffic, Mr Potter said the reduced speed limit would benefit the community and make it safer for residents. 

He added due to the amount of side roads and the need for specialist signs the cost of the reduction would be significantly higher in excess of £6,000. 

Nine councillors voted in favour to recommend the cabinet approve the proposal with Cllr Kevin Brookes voting against.