SPEEDING motorists may become a thing of the past after Barnston parish council was awarded over �17,000 to install new vehicle activated signs. It is a second victory for the determined council that last year succeeded in having the main route through th

SPEEDING motorists may become a thing of the past after Barnston parish council was awarded over �17,000 to install new vehicle activated signs.

It is a second victory for the determined council that last year succeeded in having the main route through the village downgraded from an A road to a B road to discourage lorries and cars trying to get between Chelmsford and the M11 or Stansted Airport.

The new cash, provided by the Essex Community Initiatives Fund, was obtained after villagers put pen to paper and completed a host of forms backing the scheme.

The grant will allow the purchase of two vehicle activated speed signs and three village gateways signs urging drivers to take care.

Parish council chairman, Richard Burlend, said "We are very pleased to be able to purchase this new equipment and we are confident that the vehicle activated speed signs will help slow down traffic through the village.

"Also the village gateways will make drivers aware that they are entering our quiet little village and encourage them to slow down."

Formally the A130, the B1008 is one of the main routes around the local area but has a 30mph limit through the village.

Despite this, parish clerk Delyse Jackaman has said that drivers are still using the road even though the new designated route is via the A120 near to Braintree.

She said: "One reason for this could be satellite navigation systems still taking the drivers through the shortest route, but we know we cant stop traffic altogether at least they will be aware they are now travelling through a village."

Installation of the new signs on the B1008 and one on High Easter Road is expected to begin in late April.