MOUNT CHARLES LIB DEMS BACK LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON HOLMBUSH ROAD

6.03.39pm GMT Fri 17th Aug 2007

Cllr Shirley Polmounter (left) and PPC Stephen Gilbert (right) with Holmbush Road residents

Residents from Holmbush Road met with Restormel Councillor, Shirley Polmounter, and the town's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Stephen Gilbert, this week to discuss traffic and speed limits along one of St Austell's busiest roads.

The residents have collected over 100 signatures on a petition asking for the County Council's Highways Department to lower the speed limit along Holmbush Road from 40mph to 30mph.

Terry Rawlings, who lives on Holmbush Road, said: "The road is like a race-track early in the morning or in the evening with cars speeding along and skipping through the lights. It can only be a matter of time before there is a serious accident. We're asking for the speed limit to be lowered to 30mph and for either enforcement cameras or flashing speed warnings."

Mrs Kerry Brown, who also lives on Holmbush Road added: "All the residents along the road feel the same - people just aren't obeying the rules and are driving far too fast."

Local Councillor Shirley Polmounter, who represents Holmbush Road on Restormel Council, said: "I've met with residents on a number of occasions to talk about this issue, and I'm pleased that we've got so many people to sign the petition. We will be presenting the petition to County Highways and requiring them to take action."

The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for St Austell, Stephen Gilbert, said: "The number of visitors around makes it seem ironic to be talking about cars speeding through the town, but in the early morning and in the evening vehicles do drive far too fast down Holmbush Road on the way through St Austell. I am supporting the residents' call for action."

Bryan Rawlins the local County Councillor for Holmbush Road added; "I accept the concerns about the Holmbush Road traffic. Under the new Unitary authority local people will have the opportunity to decide traffic issues for themselves; not have to refer them to faceless bureaucrats in the hope that somebody will take notice and do something. After all, who knows better about local traffic problems than local people that have to deal with them every day of their lives. I'll be pressing Cornwall County Council for an early response to this petition."