NO OBJECTIONS have been raised to the prospect of reduced speed limits through Waverton.

Following a review, a 30mph limit has been put forward on a 1.14km length of Common Lane, Village Road and Long Lane in Waverton and on the complete length of Church Steadings.

A 40mph limit is proposed on a further 858m length of Long Lane.

The road is at present subject to a 40mph speed limit through Old Waverton, according to Chester's area highway manager Colin Stredder, while the rest of the road has the national 60mph limit.

Following new guidance and speed and traffic surveys on the route, together with consideration of the injury record, Mr Stredder suggested to Chester's highways and transportation committee the existing 40mph speed limit through Old Waverton could be reduced to 30mph.

Average traffic speeds there have been found to be 33mph.

From the end of the existing 40mph limit through Milners Heath, Mr Stredder feels a 40mph limit could be imposed as the average speed of traffic is 38mph.

Each of the lengths of road concerned has had one injury accident in three years resulting in slight injury.

“Whilst any accident is one too many, this record does not give undue cause for concern,'' suggests Mr Stredder.

Cheshire Police said that although they did not object to the proposed limits, they did have concerns, particularly in relation to the 40mph limit.

They felt there were similarities to conditions on Huxley Village Road in Huxley where a 40mph limit is not observed.

Introducing the 40mph limit without additional speed reduction measures would result in many drivers failing to conform to the restriction they believed.

Mr Stredder recommended to a Town Hall meeting of city highway chiefs that the lower speed limits should be advertised for public consultation.

County Cllr Stephen Mosley (Con, Overleigh) referred to the police comments and sought the views of police traffic liaison officer Mr Chris Burnham.

“Experience has shown that in the long term other measures may be needed,'' said Mr Burnham.

Introducing the 40mph limit without additional speed reduction measures, including enforcement and the use of speed indicator devices, could result in many drivers failing to observe the restriction, he believed.

Mr Burnham suggested that any reduction in traffic speeds should be assessed.

Mr Stredder told the committee: “We would monitor the situation and introduce appropriate measures as required.”