A SPEED limit through Sourton village is to be reduced to 30mph to improve safety on a road described as a 'death trap'.
West Devon Partnership Committee at a meeting on Monday gave the go ahead for the 40mph speed limit to be reduced. The decision was made despite fears that slowing the speed on the main route from Tavistock to the A30 would have a detrimental effect.
A sum of £10,000 has been allocated to the scheme along a section of the A386 through Sourton and towards the south side of Lake.
It is believed the reduced speed limit will encourage cyclists, horse riders and walkers to use the roads in Sourton which is the village where the National Cycle Route crosses the A386.
West Devon Borough Councillor for the area, John Hockridge, said that for 20 years the community had been campaigning for a reduced speed limit on that road.
'We fought tooth and nail to get it,' he said. 'It is a death trap in the village — the number of vehicles using the A386 has increased enormously over 20 years.'
Borough councillor Dennis Bater said this move was one more nail in Tavistock's economy.
'This will slow up the road to Tavistock,' he said. 'I hope one day a bypass to avoid all these villages will be considered.'
Noel Cartwright, who is also a borough councillor, told the committee the 40mph speed limit was working and he was not convinced reducing it was going to make that much difference.
'This is the main north/south route from Plymouth to Barnstaple and it is appalling — no money has been put into it and reducing the speed limit could have a detrimental effect.
'The 40mph signs have been effective and efficient.'
Officers agreed to monitor the traffic situation at Southerly, to the south of Lake, with a view to extending the speed limit, after concerns were raised by Mr Hockridge.