THE campaign against the 40mph speed limit on Dartmoor is being stepped up this week — ahead of a review of the measures by the National Park authority.
The Dartmoor Society, claiming 500 members 'dedicated to improving the quality of decision making on Dartmoor', has published a leaflet entitled 'Why a 40mph speed limit is wrong for Dartmoor'.
They are urging people to make their opinions known to the authority before November 5, when the DNPA reviews the concept of zonal speed limits.
Society spokesman Dr Tom Greeves said the concept has already been ratified by Devon County Council, but was subject to approval by DNPA.
The speed restriction was introduced two years ago to protect grazing animals on open moorland roads.
Dr Greeves said the restrictions had had no significant effect on the number of animal deaths.
He said press coverage tended to highlight accidents involving ponies, leading to an emotive response by the public rather than a cool appraisal of the real issues.
He conceded the limit was necessary in some places, but in others he said it was an insult to drivers and brought the law into disrepute.
Dr Greeves said the profusion of signs and roundels was an affront to the historic environment the National Parks had a statutory duty to protect, and the scheme was a waste of public money having cost almost £170,000.
The leaflet suggests the speed limit should be scrapped with attention focussed on known blackspots and a number of other practical measures.
For a copy of the leaflet send an sae to PO Box 38, Tavistock.