A STRETCH of road outside a post office should have its speed limit reduced to halt accidents.

That's the view of a sub postmaster in Poole who is concerned about the safety of customers and local residents near his shop in Bearwood.

And a councillor from neighbouring Bournemouth, who visited the area to inspect a planning application on the boundary of the two boroughs, has written to Poole council urging it to consider reducing the speed limit.

A speed limit on the Bournemouth side of the boundary keeps motorists at 30mph but this rises to 40mph on the Poole side as the road passes the post office in Magna Road.

Traffic coming from the Merley direction at 40mph negotiates a road dip and bend next to the post office.

Two months ago a car collided with and badly bent a lamp post outside the post office. The light has not been repaired and an illuminated beacon in the middle of the road has also been out of action.

Bournemouth councillor Ron Whittaker wrote to Poole council at the end of July asking that it considers reducing the speed limit.

He said: "Everyone knows this spot is lethal. I expected Poole to act a bit quicker."

Sub postmaster Robert Habgood, who took over the store in April, said: "I'm conscious there have been a number of accidents here.

"We have pensioners that come here regularly and we are concerned for them. The speed limit should be 30mph from the roundabout all the way until past the bend and dip in the road."

Ward councillor Leo Belcham believes Bournemouth and Poole may need to work together.

He said: "We have had opinions from residents that the speed limit be brought down. I shall take it through the area committee meeting."

Steve Dean, principal engineer, transportation services, Borough of Poole said: "I am aware that local people would like to see the speed limit reduced in Magna Road and this will be one of the first places that we review when the new national guidelines are issued in the coming months."

He said the bollards were repaired as soon as they were aware of the problem and that a new lamp column has been ordered and will be put in shortly.

First published: October 22