THE controversial 40mph limit on Dartmoor is expected to be endorsed tomorrow (Friday) when the Dartmoor National Park Authority meets to review its trial speed policy.

The policy was an important element of the DNP traffic management strategy aimed at protecting grazing animals on open moorland roads — but it has attracted a lot of opposition.

Phase one was introduced in 1996 covering 50 miles of road, and phase two, covering a further 40 miles, was introduced the following year.

Devon County Council has already supported the measures, praising the success of the scheme in reducing vehicle speeds and the number of accidents.

In a report, county environment director Edward Chorlton said there had been a reduction in all accidents and an overall decrease in animal accidents since the introduction of the zonal limit.

He said the measures had attracted national acclaim but recognised the diverse opposition calling for a removal of the limit and signs and for the fencing of open roads.

The Dartmoor Society has campaigned consistently against the limit and published a pamphlet last week highly critical of the scheme.

The leaflet suggested the speed limit should be scrapped with attention focused on known blackspots and a number of other practical measures.

Chairman Dr Tom Greeves challenged the county council's conclusions. He said the restrictions had had no significant effect on the number of animal deaths despite the 'over-emotional' press coverage, highlighting accidents involving ponies.

Statistics provided in the county council's report point to a reduction in accidents involving injuries to people from 13.67 to nine in phase one and six to five in phase two, although damage-only statistics are not reliable since reporting is not obligatory.

A commoners' survey suggested significant drops in animal losses each year from 1995 to 1997, with 1998 figures back up to the levels of 1995 of just over 100.

And speed surveys said averages dropped from 50.3mph in 1995 to 42.4mph in 1996 but have since risen back to around 46mph in 1998 — 140 drivers were prosecuted in 1998.

Dr Greeves also complained 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 nearly £170,000.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association said it fully supported the DNPA policy and the introduction of a national 40mph speed limit on country roads.

Proposals in a report by national park officer Jeff Haynes said awareness of the problems and changing motorists' behaviour were felt to be important, with regular and publicised enforcement of the limit, concentrating on accident blackspots.

But the report recognised speed was only one factor in animal accidents and recommended a campaign to promote more careful driving, particularly among those groups of motorists most likely to be involved in accidents.

Other physical measures were also recommended.

Work is already underway to make road salt unpalatable to animals to help keep them off the roads during the winter and a scheme to provide ponies with reflective neckbands was commended.

Roadside verges are also being remodelled to reduce sheep 'hiding places'.

The visual impact of signage has been reduced as much as possible and 121 superfluous signs have been removed (40 per cent of the total).

A blanket speed limit on country roads, not the trunk roads over Dartmoor, would mean many more repeater signs could be removed.

The DNP meeting takes place at County Hall, Exeter, tomorrow (Friday) beginning 10.30am.