A BLANKET speed limit of 40mph could soon be introduced across Portland in a bid to cut accidents on the island.

Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's environment and conservation committee decided last night to recommend the 40mph limit on the island following concerns about the amount of accidents - including a fatal crash in June - and the danger caused to horses by speeding cars.

Members received a report advising a speed reduction on six roads - New Road, Priory Road, Easton Lane, Wide Street, all to 40mph; and South-well Road and Portland Bill Road, reduced to 50mph.

But concerned councillors voted to recommend that all roads on the island be subject to the same 40mph limit, despite warnings from officers that a drastic reduction in speed might cause frustration to drivers who could not see the reason for such a cut.

Councillor Les Ames, who moved the motion, said: "I want to save life and limb. We have had a death and a serious injury recently. It seems to me that we should take every action we can, even if it causes inconvenience, to save lives."

Dangers

"There are a number of reasons for putting this forward. We have more than 120 horses on Portland and the streets on the island are very narrow.

"I have seen motorists come up so fast behind that the horses have bolted."

Many councillors agreed that Portland Bill Road, where the speed limit was currently 60mph, was exceptionally dangerous. Council officers told the committee that there had been 10 accidents on the road since March 1998, including the fatality.

Excessive speed was considered to be a factor in at least four of them.

But the committee's recommendations could run into difficulties when the motion goes before the management committee. Officers warned that it might not be possible to introduce the limit on roads that had not been the subject of speed and accident surveys.

Councillors agreed on a composite motion that would accept the original report if the island-wide 40mph limit ban was not enforceable.

The cost of signs showing the new speed limits was put at £10,000, which would be spread over two years.

The committee also voted to recommend a right-turning lane on Easton Lane to cover the junctions with Inmosthay and Chesil Beach Motors.