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Speed limit reduced at 'dangerous junction'

Wiltshire Council A section of the A-road where a traffic island has been newly installed in the centre of the road. On either side there are new signs signalling a 40mph speed limit. Wiltshire Council
The new speed limit became enforceable on 13 September

A speed limit near a junction described by residents as a "life or death" blackspot has been reduced.

The A4's 40mph zone near Manton, Wiltshire, has now been extended to include the Downs Lane junction.

Motorists approaching the crossroads previously drove past at speeds of up to 60mph.

Wiltshire Council approved plans at a meeting on 13 September to extend the 40mph limit a further 52m (170ft) along the A4, and for new signage and a traffic island.

Google A Google screenshot of the Downs Lane junction opening up onto the A4. It is a long single carriageway rural road with thick trees lining either side. Google
The rural Downs Lane junction opens up onto the busy A-road

Chair of Manton Residents' Association Peter Morgan said he first approached the council with the proposal in 2006.

“It’s been such a long haul to get to this point, and there was a lot of concern from local people.

"At one point we had a load of villagers manually counting the number of vehicles passing through the village, trying to get some sort of quantification to prove to the council the sheer volume and speed of traffic," he said.

Wiltshire Council A line drawing of a map showing the A4 road running through Manton towards Marlborough. There is a small purple line on the left where the junction to Downs Lane is. This indicates where the previous 60mph zone was. The rest of the A4 road is coloured in red, indicating where the 40mph zone was.Wiltshire Council
The 40mph speed limit did not previously cover the junction, as indicated by the purple line

Leader of the council Richard Clewer said the authority assessed "the original speed limit of 60mph following concerns raised by residents".

"Following a consultation earlier this year the decision was made to adjust the restriction to 40mph.

"A traffic island has also been installed to make the speed limit change point clearer to motorists.

"The new 40mph speed limit is now enforceable," he added.

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