LOCKERIDGE'S plan to cut drivers' speed to 20mph following the death of a resident is within sight, after more than £3,000 was pledged by the parish council, which will put up its share of council tax by 10 per cent to pay for it.

Ever since Lockeridge man George Punton, 64, died after being hit by a car whilst walking his dog near Ivy Lane junction on November 21, 2015, villagers have campaigned to reduce the current speed limit of 30mph along their narrow streets to 20mph.

Now Fyfield and West Overton Parish Council, which covers Lockeridge, has agreed to raise its share of council tax for the villages for the coming year so it can contribute £2,500 to the 20mph zone and spend another £625 on a metro count system, which will monitor the speed at which cars and lorries are using the road.

The 20mph zone will include the main road going through the village, parts of Overton Road and Ryles Lane.

"For a long time there has a lot of local support for this, ever since Mr Punton died, and now we are a step closer to making this possible," said Ruth Lamdin, parish council chairman.

"Parts of the village do not have pavements so we feel a 20mph zone is more suitable. We agreed to this rise as it is for a good cause and it is one locals are passionate about."

The parish council agreed to set its precept at £9,957.86, which is an increase of £2.29 a year on the council tax bill for a band D house.

Coun Jane Davies, who has been working on safety improvements to the village for years, said: "I think it is a great opportunity to make Lockeridge a safer place. There are a lot of benefits to implementing 20mph limits, just as Great Bedwyn, Ogbourne St Andrew and Ramsbury have successfully done.

"If a car is driving at 20mph and a child runs across the road three car lengths ahead of you, you will be able to stop in time. However, at 30mph, the car will hit the child at 23mph, which is equivalent impact to falling out of a second floor window.

"The greater the impact speed, the greater the chance of death. A pedestrian hit at 30mph has a very significant one in five chance of being killed."

"We have a school, dog walkers, horse riders, narrow roads, high verges, no pavements and blind corners so this will be very helpful."

"Wiltshire Council has a very clear policy on 20mph limits and they confirmed we are eligible. I am delighted that the parish council have put forward this contribution. Also that the Area Board has supported our application."

The parish council's application to put the new speed limit in place was accepted by Wiltshire Council last July.