A 30MPH speed limit could be introduced on a main road into a Chester village.

The reduction from 40mph is proposed on Guilden Sutton Lane in Guilden Sutton.

The measure was proposed at a meeting of city highway chiefs last autumn when area highway manager Colin Stredder told councillors the limit on the road had been reviewed.

A traffic survey had been carried out which indicated the 40mph limit could be reduced to 30mph over the length of road adjoining properties on Guilden Sutton Lane as the national guidelines for a village were met.

The average speed of traffic had been found to be 39mph and there had been one personal injury accident in three years resulting in a slight injury.

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

He proposed the existing 40mph limit should be reduced to 30mph to link-up with the existing 30mph speed limit through the village.

This would include Heath Bank and a section of Guilden Sutton Lane leading to industrial premises.

Guilden Sutton Parish Council says it has no objections as do the police and Gowy division County Cllr Eleanor Johnson (Con).

Mr Stredder says new signs would be erected and traffic speed monitored with extra measures being installed if necessary.

Vice chairman of the city's highways and transportation committee County Cllr Sue Proctor (Lib Dem, Boughton Heath & Vicars Cross) said she and Guilden Sutton City Cllr Brian Bailey (Con) were concerned the introduction of the 30mph limit would lead to the loss of repeater signs along the length of the road concerned which could be detrimental to highway safety.

The highway authority has subsequently indicated that bracket lights adjacent to properties on Guilden Sutton Lane would be upgraded.

Mr Stredder is to tell city and county councillors at a Town Hall meeting of city highway chiefs on Thursday (January 22) the limit has been advertised for consultation and an objection has been received although the reduction in the speed limit is welcome.

The resident, who has lived in the village for more than five years, is concerned the reduced limit will not be effective as it is claimed the current 40mph limit “is widely flouted particularly by local residents as is the 30 limit on the lower part of the lane”.

The occupier has raised the issue with the police and the county council and says he is sorry to say “that not once in five years have the police set up traffic controls”.

He suggests the use by the parish council of a speed indicator device “is treated with as much contempt as the speed limit”.

Unless there are “solid proposals for enforcing any changes” he argues the proposal should be shelved until such time as adequate enforcement is available.

Recommending the measure should be introduced, Mr Stredder confirms that vehicle speeds will be monitored and extra measures to lower speeds would be installed if necessary.