CAMPAIGNERS want speeding on a main route out of Royal Wootton Bassett to be tackled.

They fear the stretch of Bath Road is tempting motorists to break the 30mph limit because they can see a sign for the 50mph zone say people who live in the area.

Philip Barker, whose pet cat Oliver was hit by a car and killed two years ago, said: “We have proved time and time again that there is a problem here, but nothing is being done. Motorists see the 50mph sign before they reach Bath Road, so they speed up. Then they see it’s suddenly change to 30mph and they slam their breaks on, it’s so dangerous. Something has to be done."

He explained the problem had been growing. “I’ve lived here for three years now and there’s been a speeding problem for some time. I knew that there were some issues with it, but then when my cat got run over that’s when I wanted to find out what was going on and how to tackle the problem.

His neighbour Bernadette Strange is a member of the town’s community speed watch team and said people regularly drive between 50mph and 60mph in the 30mph zone.

She said: “We don’t really want to keep complaining to the police, they do come out with us sometimes to check people’s speed. But I think it’s easier to get the message across by talking to the drivers and raising awareness.

“There’s a lot of children and elderly people who live in this area, it’s really not safe for them.We’re hopeful to make drivers aware, it might also be a good idea for the speed limit to be changed in the area. We’re not trying to catch people out, we’re just trying to make sure people are safe, and to bring some attention to the problem.”

A Police spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police is well supported in tackling speeding by the Community Speed Watch scheme, which returned in March following an enforced break due to Covid, with more than 1,000 volunteers.

“They are supported by the recently appointed traffic enforcement officer, as well as new camera equipment, to collate the intel to develop a targeted enforcement approach across the community areas. Speeding on the roads in Wiltshire is one of the main concerns of residents and we will continue to take this seriously and police it robustly.”

To report speeding visit wiltshire.police.uk