RESIDENTS of Brightley Road, Okehampton, have renewed their campaign for a reduced speed limit along the busy road, 18 months after first forming an action group to lobby for change. Members of the Brightley Road Action Group staged a demonstration last Tuesday evening to remind passing motorists of the need to take care as they head out of Okehampton along a road used by children, horse riders and cyclists. Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council has offered to contribute financially towards signage to improve road safety at Brightley. Members are seeking local residents? views on their preferred type of signage, but have informed Devon County Council they would be willing to contribute up to £4,000 towards signs to highlight the need for reduced speed. However, campaigner Mandy Harrison said the action group?s ultimate aim was to convince the county council of the need to introduce a reduced speed limit along the road. ?We are not going to lie down and forget about it,? she said, ?We will keep on with Devon County Council because of all the children that have moved into the area.? Mandy said she was ?optimistic? the residents would win their fight. ?We have got so many people on our side, councillors, the youth hostel and the police can see the problem too.? BRAG member Mark Whitaker said the campaign had enjoyed some initial success but the road was still very dangerous for children to walk. ?I think people did take notice at first, but there are still people that will take no notice whatsoever,? he said. The group has produced another set of home-made signs to remind drivers of the need to reduce speed as they aim to reiterate their message. RIGHT: Residents of all ages make clear their demand for a speed limit. Picture by James Bird
