HOMEOWNERS have spoken up in support of their new speed bumps after a cheeky road sign protest compared them with mountains.

A plastic sign added to Nottington Lane in Weymouth twinned the road with the world's highest mountain range - the Himalayas.

While the bumps may not stretch to the stunning heights of Mt Everest at 29,035 feet, residents of the lane feel the measures are effective and have reduced the numbers of cars and their speed.

Jim Fudge, 42, who has lived on the lane for seven years, said: "They have certainly slowed the traffic down. It has made the section of road by our house a bit noisier because of people revving their engines when they drive off.

"But safety is the most important thing and now I feel it is safe enough to take my children for walks.

"I think the council has done a good job. The bumps could even be a little higher - I don't think they are quite as bad as the Himalayas."

Terry Wright, 57, a local builder who lives on Nottingham Farm, said: "I think they are marvellous. You still get a few idiots driving through and beeping their horns, but you can't do much about them.

"People used to come round here so fast you had to jump for your life sometimes. Now there are less women using the lane for the school run."

Neil Robbins, 27, who runs a consultancy and IT business from his home on Nottington Lane, said: "The traffic problem stems from all the development in Chickerell.

"I remember when it was a village but now it's practically a town and West Dorset District Council has given no consideration to the implications this has had on local roads.

"This lane has evolved from its original use - it was made for horses and carts and has become the main route from Chickerell to Dorchester but the speed bumps have reduced that. I'm glad they put them in."

Not all residents are pleased with the geographical comparisons. Mike Page, 66, who is retired, said the speed bumps were a waste of taxpayers' money.

Mr Page said: "The boy racers fly over them and they enjoy tackling the chicanes. They have little effect on the people they are actually trying to stop and they just get in the way of everyone else."

Ann Higgins, 60, who works at St Anne's Garden Centre on Coldharbour, said: "I can see why they have put them in, but they have overdone it. We have problems getting equipment down the road and I wonder how ambulances can get down there."