MOTORISTS are ignoring new speed limit signs erected on the A141 at Westry because the signage scheme put up so far is not adequate, says a group of March town councillors.
The council has been campaigning for years to get a 40mph limit imposed on the road - but former mayor of March, Councillor Jan French says the new scheme near her home appears to have some major faults.
“There are not enough signs and there should be a sign warning drivers of the new limit,” she said. “I am disappointed and upset that Cambridgeshire County Council could not finish the job all in one go, it seems not everything has been done. The speed limit should be painted on the road, and the signs are too small.
“I am also cross that the road works signs have been left along the road, long after the resurfacing work has been completed, blocking the footpath and littering the verge.”
Councillor French says March Town Council is also waiting for the county council to install double yellow lines outside Cavalry School and new parking restriction signs in Elwyn Road, both paid for by the town council.
“I am disappointed with the level of service we have received from the county, she said, it is just not good enough.”
Regarding the Westry signage, a spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “Contractors working on our behalf have still to finish erecting the warning signs along this route, including the large sign at the entrance to Westry from the Wisbech direction. We can only apologise for the delay in completing this work, and assure local people that it will be carried out as soon as possible.”
As Councillor French inspected the new signs on Tuesday morning along with Councillors Rob Skoulding and Kit Owen, there was one large 40mph speed limit sign by the Peashill roundabout, and five small repeater signs through the village - but there was no large 40mph speed limit sign facing motorists coming into Westry from Wisbech.
Councillor Rob Skoulding added: “I think it is a token effort by the county council. Drivers cannot see the signs, they are too small and there are not enough of them.”
Councillor Kit Owen agreed: “Drivers in the open countryside just don’t realise the speed limit has been reduced,” he said. “The scheme has not been done properly or adequately to tell motorists about the new limit.”
Councillor French was instrumental in the Westry speed limit being cut from 60mph to 50mph back in 1993, and two years ago she began to fight for another cut in the limit, after her son Chris was badly hurt in a road accident outside her home.
“It has taken 20 years go get the speed limit down to 40mph,” she said. “Although we welcome the new 40mph limit, we are disappointed the work has not been completed.”
Although the town council had agreed to pay for the new speed limit to be imposed, from Peashill roundabout to Grandford corner, the £1,500 bill was picked up by potato company Fenmarc, who have premises along the road.
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