SOME drivers are speeding through Kingsley at more than 60 mph despite a 40 mph speed limit, a survey by Hampshire County Council has shown.

The recent study by the council was carried out on behalf of Kingsley Parish Council which is battling for speed reduction measures in the village and, ultimately, a reduction in the speed limit.

Traffic engineers set up equipment at either end of the village inside its 40 mph zone to carry out the survey for more than a week.

The results showed that motorists entering and leaving the western end of the village were the worst offenders with the fastest speed entering the village recorded at 70 mph, the average being 50.5 mph. Leaving the village the fastest recorded speed was 65 mph with the average being 49.8.

At the eastern end of the village the results showed that the majority of motorists travelled only marginally above the speed limit, with a few fast exceptions.

The top speed recorded entering the village was 60 mph, with the average 43.8 mph, and the fastest leaving the village was 55 mph although the average was 42.5 mph.

In a letter to the parish council, engineer Graham Carter said that the findings meant that the ÒgatewaysÓ at either end of the village need to be enhanced to Òcreate a greater awareness of the commencement of the speed limitÓ.

Kingsley Parish Council has said it hoped the figures would strengthen the villageÕs case for urgent traffic calming.

Proposals are in the pipeline for the creation of new crossing points to provide safe places for pedestrians to negotiate the busy B3004 and slow traffic down.

But last week chairman Colin Neville said that a reduction in the speed limit to 30 was needed.

ÒI was horrified when I saw some of the speeds at which people travel through the village,Ó he said.

ÒIf we have a 30 mph speed limit then I would have thought that people will drive 10 mph slower, which would be better than nothing.Ó

The council agreed to contact traffic management officer Pc Eric Martin at Whitehill Police Station to set up a meeting and pass on the county councilÕs findings.