A CHUDLEIGH resident believes speeding drivers and a 60mph speed limit could cause a severe accident along the B3344, between Chudleigh and Chudleigh Knighton, and wants the limit to be lowered.

Richard Welby, has already seen many minor incidents along the three quarters of a mile stretch of road, and he believes the road is extremely hazardous.

He said that the road is a 'choke' area which takes traffic to and from the A38 Devon Expressway north and southbound, to and from the B3192 to the Teign Valley, as well as traffic from local residents, Kingsteignton and Newton Abbot.

The road is also used regularly by haulage

and container lorries en route to the local tips and quarries.

Other users include caravanners and campers who are staying at Finlake Holiday Park, as well as people on school runs and commuters.

Mr Welby, who retired in Chudleigh 12 years ago said: 'This has been on my mind for a couple of years now and the problems haven't improved.'

Mr Welby, also commented that the new street calming devices in Chudleigh town, introduced within the last couple of months, have a 30mph limit and only added to the problem on the B3344.

He said: 'The recent devices, however desirable, have generated road rage and because of extra congestion people accelerate as they leave the town and see the 60mph signs.'

Mr Welby said not only is the speed limit a problem, but there are many problems along the road which could cause a motorist to have an accident.

On the stretch of road there are a number of houses which have entrances that can barely be seen from the road. He thinks the residents would have difficulty seeing the motorists as they come out of their driveways. Also, the motorists are going at such a speed it may be difficult to stop.

Along the road is the entrance to Finlake Holiday Park. Mr Welby strongly believes that caravanning visitors coming out of the entrance could end up in an accident, as accelerating motorists would be approaching the entrance at speed and might have to brake hard to slow down or stop.

Also on the stretch of road is Blueberry Warren animal rescue centre. Jane Wright, one of the owners commented on two accidents on the road.

'On May 1, there were two accidents in one day,' she said. 'Firstly, a lorry shed its load and two cars were involved in the accident. Then a pickup truck came along to tow away the cars and a bus had to go around the truck sideways. There was a lot of screeching of brakes.'

Mr Welby is also concerned about the bus stop on the roadside. It is barely visible from the roadside and is on a corner, so Mr Welby believes cars won't be able to slow down quickly enough and it could be an accident waiting to happen.

He also thinks something should be done about a blind corner on the road. Cars from Chudleigh which are waiting to turn right into the B3193 have to be positioned to see ahead, they can be hidden by hedging from cars following.

Carol Smith, from the parish council, said: 'The council has written a letter to the county council after reading Mr Walby's letter.'

'In my personal opinion the road by Finlake is quite fast. A 40mph limit would be more suitable.'

She commented that, although Mr Walby said that people accelerate when they hit the 60mph limit just outside Chudleigh town, she lives in Chudleigh, is a careful driver and cannot speak for others.

Mr Welby would like to see action taken as quickly as possible, but the county council will not review the situation until the autumn.

Andrew Butler, who is the local services officer at the council, said: 'The 60mph limit and other issues along the road will be put into the community travel plan for the Chudleigh and Hennock area and we review the situations each year.

'We look into the amount of accidents as a route of study and if it acquires sufficient priorities, we will look into the problems further.'

'As for hedge trimming on blind corners, it is up to the land owners to trim their hedges. Highway maintenance staff will ask them to do so if it is in the interests of safety.'

Mr Welby hopes action will be taken before there is a fatality.