A speed limit reduction on the Wimblington Road in March is set to be opposed by police.

Campaigners have pushed for several years for the speed limit on the stretch of road, which has seen numerous casualties, reduced from 40 to 30mph. Dominic Iliffe, 24, and James Kiely, 27, were killed along the road in December 2011.

But Derek Crosby, Cambs Police traffic management officer, has branded the proposal as “unnecessary” and says it would likely meet with a formal objection.

In a letter to March Town Council, he said: “If the current proposal were to be processed further, unacceptable levels of requests for enforcement action on the part of officers is likely to arise.

“Enforcement is not and can not be a suitable or permanent measure to ensure or encourage compliance.

“To achieve that aim there needs to be associated engineering measures and other than the narrowing/gated feature at the commencement of the current 40mph restriction, there is none, nor does any appear to be proposed.

“It is the assertion of police that what is proposed is onerous, over restrictive and not in keeping with the current highway environment.

“It is considered the current 40mph restriction is suitable and suitable and befitting this road and the proposal to reduce the speed restriction is unnecessary.

“It is anticipated that should this matter move to a formal Notice of Intention, the proposal is likely to meet with a formal objection.”

The stance has incensed Fenland District Councillor Jan French who, alongside Mayor of March Councillor Kit Owen and Deputy Mayor Councillor Rob Skoulding, with the backing of Wimblington Road residents, has pushed for the speed reduction.

She said: “It would appear all he has done is a box ticking exercise and it’s probable he’s not even a local person and is not aware of the RTCs (road traffic collisions) and the numerous pets killed on the stretch of road.”