By John HowardRESIDENTS who have been campaigning for years for a lower speed limit on a road have been left disappointed by a latest county council proposal.

By John Howard

RESIDENTS who have been campaigning for years for a lower speed limit on a road have been left disappointed by a latest county council proposal.

Suffolk County Council wants to introduce a 40mph limit along Combs Lane in Stowmarket following residents' concerns about the speed of traffic using the road.

But residents have objected to the 40mph proposal and want a 30mph limit introduced, arguing there have been many accidents on the road because of its dangerous bends.

Accidents on Combs Lane - which passes through the parishes of Stowmarket, Combs and Great Finborough - have included cars going in to ditch, a car on its roof and firefighters having to cut a man from a van in a water-filled ditch after he hit a telegraph pole.

Among the residents calling for a lower speed limit are Irene and John Proctor, of Combs Lane, who want the whole length of the road made a 30mph zone.

Former district councillor Robert Cray added a 40mph limit would not be enough to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Peter Mason, of Combs Lane, claimed vehicles currently travelled at speeds of 50mph to 70mph on the road and he thought 30mph was a suitable limit.

But Barry Salmon, the newly-elected Stowmarket mayor, said a 40mph limit was better than no speed reduction on what he felt was a dangerous stretch of road.

“In principle I would like to see it at 30mph, but if you cannot get 30mph, then 40mph is better than nothing,” he added.

Mid Suffolk District Council officers said they did not believe Combs Lane met the right criteria for a 30mph limit, although they felt a 40mph limit could be justified.

The council's rights of way and traffic management sub-committee will meet on May 27 to discuss the speed limit proposal.

john.howard@eadt.co.uk