Wiltshire resident takes stand on speeding cars in street

Gary Pells, who lives at Vespasian Road, located on a housing estate off the A4 in Marlborough, says speeding drivers have plagued the street for 12 years.

Mr Pells has submitted a plea for signage and road marking to prevent people from mistaking his small cul-de-sac for the exit from the estate onto the A4.

He has even resorted to buying and installing his own small “no through road” sign to warn drivers against making the error.

Residents say the fact street name signage on the road was never completed means drivers often “plough” towards their houses, wrongly believing it is the way back to the main road.

READ MORE: A4 speed limit in Wiltshire lowered to 40mph near town

Unfinished signage has caused issues in the Wiltshire housing estate (Image: Newsquest) In a highways improvement request form, Mr Pells said: “We regularly have vehicles speeding into our cul-de-sac (20 mph signs don’t mean anything to lots of drivers) thinking it’s the exit from the estate.

“This varies between walkers and 40-ton trucks making deliveries.

“I have purchased my own ‘no through road’ sign and placed it at the entrance to the cul-de-sac.

“Some people see it and come to a grinding halt, others just plough on regardless trying to go through our garages and gardens.”

Others living in the cul-de-sac agreed that the incomplete signage is an issue causing confusion for motorists trying to leave the area.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, added: “People do drive quick past here, I have no problem with speed signage, you only get one life, and cars are big and heavy and kill people.

The no through road sign on the Wiltshire housing estate (Image: Newsquest) “I often see people going over 20mph, the roads are narrow and there are lots of cars around.

“People get lost and they do drive up here, they can’t see the house numbers, and the signage on this part of the estate was never finished.”

Mr Pells has suggested a fully sized “no through road” sign be installed alongside road markings to indicate that the road bends round to the right, rather than through their properties.

He has also called for double yellow lines near the properties to prevent cars being left and blocking access to the cul-de-sac.

During a meeting of the Marlborough Town Council planning committee, members voted to support the request for signage and road markings.

It has now been referred to the Local Highway and Footway Improvements Group for consideration.