A PETITION calling for urgent changes on a busy stretch of road near Tavistock has been presented by residents to Devon County Council.

Whitchurch Road at Grenofen currently has a 60mph speed limit but nearby residents are calling for the area to be classed as a village so a 30mph speed restriction is enforced, to address the problem of what they describe as ‘dangerous speeding traffic’ on the road.

The mile of road has six side roads, plus many properties with access directly onto the road — mostly with restricted splays. Residents affected say that the road is in frequent use by local people, walkers and cyclists, with many using the road to gain access to Dartmoor.

If the area is recognised as a village then a 30mph limit would be implemented.

The petition, started earlier this year, has been spearheaded by husband and wife team Dr Robert and Sheila Naybour.

It has since gathered momentum with more than 100 signatures to the petition — all signed by those affected by the busy road and nearby residents.

On December 6, Dr and Mrs Naybour attended a full council meeting at Devon County Council to formally present their petition and voice their concerns.

Mrs Naybour said: ‘The narrow mile of road is used by locals including children on their way to and from school, walkers and cyclists, horse riders, farm tractors and trailers. Within the mile there are 40-odd houses.

‘In the Department for Transport guidance for speed limits it states that if an area has more than 20 houses it will be designated a village and that should have a 30mph speed limit — we have over 40 houses. As far as the local residents are concerned — and by the proof of the amount of signatures we have on the four-page petition — this area should be classed as a village.’

The leader of the council Cllr John Hart was presented with the petition and, as the Times went to press, incidated that Meg Booth, chief officer for highways, infrastructure development and waste, would respond direct to Dr and Mrs Naybour on the issues raised.