A VILLAGE'S campaign to get cars forced to slow down on its narrow streets, after a pensioner died when he was involved in an accident there last year, has paid off.

Now drivers heading through Lockeridge will have to obey a 20mph limit when it is imposed by Wiltshire Council in the next few weeks.

Residents in the village and the West Overton and Fyfield Parish Council found out about the speed limit change when it was announced at the last Marlborough Area Board meeting, only days before the inquest into village George Punton's death.

Mr Punton, 64, who lived in the village with his with Jane and daughter Freya, was hit by a car whilst walking his dog near Ivy Lane junction on November 21 at 10.44am. His death sparked a campaign to reduce the speed limits on the road in Lockeridge, hoping to prevent any further tragedies.

An inquest in Salisbury into Mr Punton's death last week concluded he died as the direct result of a road traffic collision.

Following the crash people living in Lockeridge and the parish council appealed to Wiltshire Council to turn the road into a 20 mile per hour zone.

Jane Davies, of Lockeridge, said: “As a community we are pleased that our parish council application for a 20mph limit in the village has been agreed by Wiltshire Council. We are working hard with the authorities to ensure this is put in place as soon as possible.”

Mrs Davies was one of the Lockeridge people who helped start the campaign following the death of Mr Punton.

She paid tribute to him, saying: “George Punton was a well-liked and respected member of the village. He was walking his family dog on a sunny Saturday, when he was hit by a car and died of the injuries sustained. Our sympathies are with his family.”

Mrs Davies went on to say that the village is a very busy area and appealed for drivers to take more care whilst travelling through Lockeridge towards Alton Barnes.

“Lockeridge is a busy village with both a thriving school and pub. Our playground, the Dene and local beauty spots are popular with locals and visitors. We have many pedestrians, cyclists, horse-riders, dog-walkers, children and parents with pushchairs, residents in wheelchairs and others with limited mobility.

Unfortunately much of the village has no pavements, the roads are narrow, with blind bends and high verges, so there is nowhere to step off the road. Drivers of vehicles need to be aware that people and animals have no choice but to use the carriageways to get around the village,” added Mrs Davies.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We reviewed the speed limit in Lockeridge following a request by the parish council to the Marlborough Community Area Transport Group. This has recommended the introduction of a 20mph limit through the village which is now being progressed.”