HUNDREDS of Nantwich residents are being urged to sign a petition in a bid to improve road safety in the town.

The petition will be started in the next few days by members of the Hospital Street Association who are pressing for reduced speed limits, a ban on heavy goods vehicles and improved road signings on the outskirts of town.

Their ideas already have the backing of Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, who has passed on their views to the secretary of state for transport, Alistair Darling.

Hospital Street Association chairman Anthony Blacklay said: 'Many of the problems are caused by wrong signage on the outskirts of town, particularly on the new roundabouts in the Cheerbrook Road area.

'The signs show routes into town for through traffic, including huge lorries, which have no need to come anywhere near the town.

'We are pressing the county council to alter the signs, to ban heavy vehicles in parts of Nantwich, including Hospital Street, and to reduce speeds to 20mph in some areas.'

Mr Blacklay added: 'We need action now so that our proposals are included in the Cheshire Local Transport Plan for 2006-2011.

'If what we are saying is not included, then we are going to have to put up with the problems we are currently facing for many more years.'

Mr Blacklay pointed out that two pensioners were killed in Hospital Street when they were struck by a heavy lorry which mounted a pave-ment just over two years ago

He said: 'Hospital Street is a narrow, historic street within Nantwich's conservation area.

'The ever increasing volume of heavy traffic is causing severe environmental problems and intolerable living conditions for residents.'

A comprehensive survey has shown that about 20,000 vehicles a day use the street, 15% of which exceed the 30mph speed limit, with 77% travelling at more than 20mph.

Mr Blacklay told the Chronicle: 'The present conditions need to be drastically improved so that neighbours can once more pass the time of day on their doorsteps, passers-by can stand and chat, and unaccompanied children and the elderly can cross the road without taking their lives in their hands.'