Local Labour Councillors have launched a petition to end the rat run through Emerson Valley, by calling for a 20mph zone to be introduced.

This zone, if approved, would cover three roads between the V2 and V3 – Taunton Deane, White Horse Drive, and Belvoir Avenue.

Ward Councillors Lauren Townsend and Mick Legg are siding with lots of residents who repeatedly raised concerns about speeding on these roads when the Labour team called at their homes recently.

Cllr Lauren Townsend, who is also Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, said: “Parents are fearful of letting their children play outside, all because selfish people are whizzing through a residential area to skip queues on the dual carriageways.

“I have heard stories of cars being written off in accidents caused by zooming traffic and the roads have been dubbed ‘death traps’ by residents. Something needs to be done before somebody is seriously hurt.”

Evidence shows that 20mph zones are an effective road safety measure. They have also been shown to cut unnecessary acceleration and braking and improve traffic flow, reducing emissions and improving local air quality.

Cllr Mick Legg added: “We had over fifty written signatures on our petition in just two hours of door knocking, and we hope this number will increase now that the petition is available to sign online.

“Reducing and enforcing the speed limit will help ease residents’ worries and make a noticeable difference to their lives.”

Those who are interested in signing the petition to change the route to 20mph can do so by clicking here: https://www.mklabour.org.uk/20-is-plenty-through-emerson-valley/.