A five-year campaign to see the vehicle speed reduced in a village at the heart of North East Somerset has finally paid off.

Carlingcott, which is nestled alongside Peasedown St John, has been part of a 60mph rural speed limit for decades, despite the narrowness of roads running through the village.

For years, residents and local councillors have been putting pressure on Bath and North East Somerset Council to introduce a safer 20mph speed limit, in-line with surrounding towns and villages.

Cllr Sarah Bevan and her ward colleague, Cllr Karen Walker (Independents) have been campaigning since 2013 for Carlingcott to have a lower speed limit, after an administrative error meant the reduction wasn’t implemented five years ago.

Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “It was always non-sensical that Carlingcott didn’t have a new 20mph speed limit introduced when Peasedown did in 2013. The roads are narrow, with several sharp bends throughout and on the approach lanes, and residents have long called for this safety measure, after several near misses and damage to parked vehicles.

“Travelling at 20mph through residential areas is safer for everyone, both drivers and pedestrians. We’re pleased that the Highways Department agreed and allocated the necessary funding for new signage and road surface roundels.”

Residents living in Carlingcott played an important role in lobbying B&NES Council through letters, emails and a petition.

Cllr Karen Walker added: “We’ve enjoyed working with residents in Carlingcott this year to bring about this change in the speed limit. Their support has been hugely beneficial and ensured that Cllr Bevan and I had the backing we needed when liaising with the council.”