A PLAN to extend a 30mph limit on the edge of Great Dunmow has been slammed by councillors and residents who do not believe that the scheme has gone far enough. Previously, complaints about cars and motorcycles speeding along The Broadway had been receive

A PLAN to extend a 30mph limit on the edge of Great Dunmow has been slammed by councillors and residents who do not believe that the scheme has gone far enough.

Previously, complaints about cars and motorcycles speeding along The Broadway had been received by Essex County Council over a number of months and as a result officers had agreed to extend the speed limited area further.

However the plan, which sees the 30mph limit being set 50 metres down the road from its current position is "not far enough" according to councillors.

Cllr John Davey, who says he lives within "hearing distance" of the speeding vehicles, said: "I am extremely disappointed because I think the limit should be a mile out at least. I think we should battle on with it and get the speeds down before the traffic arrives in town.

"The speed limits should go far beyond any of the housing that is counted as Great Dunmow - that means most of the way up The Broadway. Fifty meters would not be far enough."

One resident, who did not want to be named, came into the Saracens Head last week to notify The Broadcast of his disgust. He said: "How can they [Essex County Council] just change it by 50 meters, it will not make a blind bit of difference."

The plan had been provisionally agreed by the Dunmow Traffic Management Group as part of a wider 11-point scheme to make the Great Dunmow to Great Bardfield road safer.

Things had got so bad according to residents that they were forced to take pictures of accidents to show to the authorities so that action would be taken.

However, during early negations with Essex highways officer Chris Stoneham it was mooted that 100 meters could be satisfactory.

Now, the entire scheme may have to go back to the drawing board and councillors may ask for a gradual speed reduction - from 40mph a mile out to 30mph closer to the proposed area.

Discussions are set to continue over the next month before the next traffic management group meeting in the early part of next year.

Group chairman Wendy Barron said: "We will take it up with Chris [Stoneham] at meeting and see if anything else can be done."

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