THE controversial 40mph speed limit on Dartmoor was given overwhelming support last week by the park authority.

In a packed meeting last Friday Dartmoor National Park Authority voted by 17 to 3 to endorse the trial.

The scheme was introduced in 1996 and was seen as an important element of the DNPA traffic management strategy aimed at protecting grazing animals on open moorland roads.

Devon County Council has already expressed its support, claiming the scheme had reduced vehicle speeds and the number of accidents.

But Dr Tom Greeves, of the Dartmoor Society, challenged the county council's conclusions. He said the restrictions had had no significant effect on the number of animal deaths.

'We are disappointed that DNPA members still cling to the notion of a statutory signed zonal limit, despite deep hostility towards its impact on Dartmoor and all the evidence which shows speed is not a critical factor in animal accidents,' he said.

Dr Greeves said DNPA had ignored the opinions of local people and was itself promoting the continuing urbanisation of Dartmoor.

DNPA chairman Bill Cann was pleased with the result.

'It went very well, with the majority of members in favour,' he said. 'Quite simply it keeps people's speed down — at 40mph you can do less damage to the animals and people who use Dartmoor, than at 60mph.'

He said the county council had worked very hard to be straight about the issues.

'I think the figures are true and very realistic, they are very balanced,' he said.

Deputy chairman Roy Cook, who travels the moor frequently, said: 'I haven't seen the number of dead or maimed animals on the road that I did before. You'll never eradicate animal deaths, but reducing speed will give drivers a far better chance of pulling up. As one of the advocates for the speed limit, I still feel it's justified.'

He said his decision had not been made lightly. 'I looked at the New Forest where it has been very successful and I talked to people at other National Parks, where they are thinking of doing the same thing.'

The issue will go before Devon County Council on November 30 where a final decision will be made. Mr Cann said they may then start looking at extending the scheme over the whole of Dartmoor.

'We will have to give people the chance to have their say — we need the support of the public to make the scheme work,' he said.