A VILLAGE is calling for a 20mph speed limit on a side lane which they say is ‘a serious accident waiting to happen.’

Residents of East Heslerton, near Malton, have started a petition to reduce the 60mph speed limit on Carr Lane.

A consultation is underway by the highways team at North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) to extend the 40mph speed limit from the A64 north along Carr Lane.

However, residents feel a speed limit of 40mph is still ‘far too excessive’ and the lane is too narrow for vehicles, caravans, tractors, LGV lorries and residents to pass safely.

Peter Tiffany, a resident of Carr Lane, said: “The proposed speed limit of 40mph is far too excessive and a 20mph limit should be seriously considered.

“If you have travelled down Carr Lane, you will understand it’s not a proper road. It has barley any room for two vehicles to pass each other safely, never mind the LGV lorries, tractors and caravans who use the lane daily.

“The residents feel that it has to be 20mph safety wise. There has been a near miss with a child in the last month and a family pet was run over and killed by a speeding driver last week.

“The new consultation for this to be reduced from 60mph is very welcome, but with the number of young families and children who live on Carr Lane and vehicles that drive through, it would be the wrong decision to reduce the speed limit to only 40mph.

“It’s a serious accident waiting to happen.”

More than 30 people have signed the petition calling for a reduced speed limit.

The campaign has been prompted by Ravon Herrington after her cat was hit and killed last week. She has now lost three cats on Carr Lane.

“Vehicles are speeding down our lane without any consideration for our residents,” she said.

“The legal speed limit is 60mph and even at that speed is too dangerous. As a result of speeding cars, sadly my beloved cat has been hit and killed.

“It should not have happened in the first place, let alone outside my own home. I have now lost three cats which is absolutely awful.

“It is a matter of time before an adult, elderly resident, child or another beloved animal will be hit again.

“I am asking that the speed limit on our lane is reduced, and speed bumps are put in to protect our safety. We also have no street lighting, so this makes the road extremely dangerous when it’s dark.”

Richard Marr, Highways Area Manager, said: “Following the introduction of a 40mph speed limit by Highways England on the A64 through the village, it is considered necessary to reduce the speed limits on the county’s side roads.

“A consultation is underway to extend the 40mph speed limit from the A64 north along Carr Lane. Along Church Lane to the south of the A64 it is considered that the character of the road lends itself more to the introduction of a 30mph speed limit.

“Anybody wishing to share their views should write to Area 4 Kirby Misperton Highways Office, Beansheaf Industrial Park, Tofts Road, Kirby Misperton, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 6BG or by email to Area4.KirbyMisperton@northyorks.gov.uk

“The order may be inspected at County Hall, Northallerton during normal office hours and also viewed online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/roadworks-map or www.northyorks.gov.uk/traffic-regulation-orders

“Please be assured that we will listen to residents before implementing any measures. If a 20mph speed limit is one of the proposals which comes forward from the consultation it will be considered”