A CAMPAIGN to reduce the speed limit through Highcliffe's main shopping street will be taken to County Hall next week.

A petition with more than 300 signatures will be handed in, along with a detailed report prepared by the Highcliffe Centre Partnership (HCP).

It calls for a 20mph speed limit on a 620m stretch of the A337 Lymington Road and will be considered by Dorset County Council's Regulatory Committee.

Chairman of the HCP, Malcom Mawbey, will attend the meeting, along with county councillor Lesley Dedman.

Mr Mawbey told the Daily Echo: "We did a survey of all the residents of Highcliffe last summer and asked them various questions about the shopping centre.

"About 90 per cent said they were concerned by the traffic, particularly Heavy Goods Vehicles. It is very congested so if HGVs travel at 30mph they are very close to the pavement and it is dangerous for pedestrians."

The report includes accident statistics, which reveal there have been 18 casualties on the stretch of road since August 2010.

A traffic survey showed that more than 600 vehicles travel in each direction per hour at peak times, including more than 40 HGVs in total.

The 620m runs from the junction with Wharncliffe Road in the west to Sea Corner in the east.

Mr Mawbey stressed there are a number of premises and entrances which pose particular risks including the Globe and Premier Inn, Highcliffe Medical Centre, a dental surgery, a sports and social club and a Tesco Express.

The HCP represents residents and business in the Highcliffe area and members include traders, councillors and local groups.

It includes Highcliffe councillor John Lofts who said: "I have supported the idea of a 20mph limit since it was first suggested.

"At peak times, people rightly say they would be delighted to do more than 10mph but when it's quieter a lot of vehicles travel at more than 30mph which is dangerous for pedestrians.

"There are not enough crossings either so people tend to wander across the road."

The report and petition will be considered at a meeting on Thursday June 11.