RESIDENTS in Broughton are being asked for their thoughts of the introduction of a 20mph calm zone.

Cumbria County Council want to introduce a new 20mph speed limit zone after a long campaign by local residents, assisted by the Parish Council and the High Furness Cumbria County Council member Matt Brereton.

Cllr Brereton said: “This has been a long time coming, as for as long as I can remember Broughton has been used by many inconsiderate drivers as a cut-through from the bend of the A595, as people very wrongly assume they can save time by going that way.

“Unfortunately, this usually means people drive through at inappropriate speeds, putting other road users and pedestrians’ lives at risk.

“Now, thanks to the concerted efforts of local residents, the community speed action group and Duddon Parish Council, it looks as though a properly planned and traffic-calmed 20mph zone for Broughton-in-Furness could be implemented as soon as next summer.

“As well as a new 20mph in the centre of Broughton, the existing 30mph zone will be extended in some stretches, to include more homes inside the restriction and make the roads safer.

“This should end once and for all the misconception that taking a short cut through Broughton will save commuters along the A595 time, or that the community of Broughton-in-Furness finds drivers who exceed the speed limit to save a little time on the way to or from work acceptable.

“While it is important to stress that the plans are only at the community consultation phase, with affected residents having until 9 December to give their feedback on the plans, we certainly hope that people will see the merits of the new speed limit proposals and get behind the plans.

“I would like to pay particular tribute to Annette Carmichael and members of the local parish council for their hard work and persistence in getting the proposal to this stage.

"I’d also like to give special thanks to the county council highways officers who have found time in their incredibly busy schedules to put together a robust plan and have helped us find a way to progress this, particularly in terms of negotiating the bureaucracy and helping us co-ordinate the various funding applications required to ensure the new 20mph zone is properly budgeted for.”

n For more information or to give you thoughts call Cumbria County Council before 5pm on December 9 on 01228 606060.