NEARLY 16,000 people have called for a 30mph speed limit on the A361 to be extended following two recent fatalities.

The A361 connects Taunton to numerous small villages on the Somerset Levels, providing a crucial commuting route between the Monkton Heathfield urban extension and Street, via the A39.

In the last year, there have been two deaths on the road a few miles from Taunton – Destiney Rauh, a 27-year-old motorcyclist who died near West Lyng in February, and a male victim, whose name has not yet been released, who died in a two-vehicle crash on August 20.

Thousands of concerned residents have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to extend the 30mph on the “extremely dangerous” approach to East Lyng, arguing there are “near-misses on a daily basis” and there could be further fatalities if nothing is done.

The council said it was awaiting the outcome of Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s ongoing investigation into the August crash, but would be making some changes by the end of the financial year.

Amy Frend, who has lived in East Lyng for just over a year, presented her petition to the full council when it met in Bridgwater on Thursday, September 26.

She said: “This particular section of the road has a speed limit of 50mph, which is often ignored and vehicles travel in excess of this.

“It’s a busy stretch of road with agricultural vehicles and lorries passing through constantly. My house is on one side of the road and there is a housing estate opposite comprising about 15 homes (Hill View Terrace).

“As drivers we are dealing with near-misses on a daily basis, pulling out or into the junction or one of the many well-used driveways due to a camp-site and cider farm being located here.

“It is at times extremely dangerous; cars will often go to overtake as you start to slow in readiness to turn, which is just an accident waiting to happen.”

Ms Frend said that the 30mph speed limit in part of the village should be extended to protect both motorists and local pedestrians.

She said: “My biggest concern though is for the safety of pedestrians. Children cross the road daily for the school bus along with the users of the public bus.

“Residents have to walk in the road to get to the main part of the village to access either the church or village hall.

“Not being able to use these services or attend events in the village leave people feeling isolated and not part of the community.”

“I feel the 30mph limit needs to be extended to at least Staggs Farm, which is half a mile down the road. There are then bends in the road causing people to naturally slow down.

“Myself and the 15,000 plus people who signed the petition feel something needs doing about this section of the A361 before anyone else tragically loses their life.

“Remember, each statistical death represents a human life lost, a family torn apart, a community shaken.”

As of Wednesday morning (October 2), a total of 15,935 people have signed the petition via the online campaign site Change.org.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, responded: “Following the tragic incident which recently happened on the A361 near East Lyng, we are working with the police to understand the circumstances.

“Those investigations are ongoing and the outcome, due to their extensive nature, can take some time.

“Any recommendations about engineering measures when the investigations are complete will be considered.

“Officers met with councillors, representatives of the parish council and residents of Hill ViewTerrace in July 2023 to agree some changes to the speed limits and associated road markings.

“These works will be completed in this financial year, and include installing taller pedestrian warning signs, refreshed white edge lining, additional 30mph roundelson the road.We will also be installing a 40mph buffer zone beyond Hill View Terrace.”

Mr Wilkins (whose Curry Rivel and Langport division runs close to the A361 at Othery) said that implementing a 30mph so far out of the built-up part of the village could be counter-productive and may go against government guidelines.

He said: “We have given the speed limit change a great deal of consideration, using the guidelines set out by the Department for Transport, to which we must conform.

“A 30mph speed limit should only be applied in an environment where drivers should expect to encounter it, typically in more built-up areas.

“Extending the 30mph limit out to an environment where drivers are typically expecting to drive at higher speed risks this being ignored and ineffective entirely.

“A 40mph buffer is usually more successful in bringing down the speeds on the approach to a 30mph limit.”

Councillor Alan Bradford (whose North Petherton division includes both East Lyng and West Lyng): “This has been an issue for 20 years.

“I do feel that this is a very sensitive issue, with what has happened over the last year, and I do feel that our highways team are starting to address the issues.

“These changes should be implemented and they will hopefully make things a lot more different. We’ve put a lot of time into this – we’ve spent a lot of hours debating and trying to resolve these issues.”

To sign Ms Frend’s petition, visit www.change.org/p/extend-the-30mph-speed-limit-on-main-road-east-lyng-a361-to-improve-road-safety.