CAMPAIGNERS say lives will be put at risk if Wiltshire Council continues with its plan to introduce a 50mph limit on the Hilperton Relief Road and stretches of Leap Gate.

The long-awaited road, which is due to be completed in September, is currently being constructed by Bristlewand on behalf of Persimmon Homes, after planning permission was granted in 2006.

Highways officers are recommending that the council sets the speed limit at 50mph along the road and along new stretches of Leap Gate through the Castle Mead estate, despite strong opposition from Hilperton Parish Council, Trowbridge Town Council, police, two nearby primary schools and the Paxcroft Mead Residents' Association.

“I don’t see why it needs to be 50mph,” said Wiltshire councillor Ernie Clark, who represents the Hilperton Division.

“I honestly think if the relief road has a 50mph limit it will be an accident waiting to happen.

“The problem is that highways know that whatever limit they set people will go above it and while that can’t be used as an argument, it would make much more sense for it to be 40mph and have more crossing points.

“I just don’t know where they are coming from to be honest. It wouldn’t make much difference to travel times and there is unanimous opposition to the 50mph proposal.”

Cllr Clarke and fellow Wiltshire councillor Steve Oldrieve, Trowbridge Paxcroft Division, are joining forces with the Hilperton Gap Action Group (HGAG) to lobby the council at its next full meeting next Tuesday (July 14).

As well as asking the council to change the maximum speed limit to 40mph, the action group is also hoping to save the land either side of the relief road from housing.

Cllr Oldrieve said: “We don’t want any development along the Gap road and HGAG is also against the speed limit being set at 50mph.

“When planning permission was granted for the road, conditions were set that it would have a 40mph speed limit and traffic calming measures, but those seem to have been disregarded.

“The officers are now recommending 50mph, but we are concerned about the safety implications. We have the support of the schools, residents and the parish council, but it is being ignored.

“There have already been complaints about speeding around the Castle Mead estate. This is not just a few people complaining, it is the whole community speaking as one against these plans.”

Jonathan Hawkes, Chair of Paxcroft Mead Community Centre, said: “There are strong feelings among residents about the speed limit. The road seems far too narrow to have traffic going both ways at 50mph.”

Campaign for A Better Trowbridge is calling for the speed limit along Leap Gate to be 30mph in residential areas and the group will also be outside County Hall ahead of Tuesday's meeting.