ROADS in Poole could have their speed limits slashed in an attempt to save lives.

As the Daily Echo continues its Too Young To Die campaign, aimed at reducing the deaths of young drivers on Dorset's roads, Poole council is considering measures to improve the safety of the borough's highways.

One radical plan would see the Old Town area speed limit cut from 30mph to 20mph.

Three major routes - Gravel Hill, Arrowsmith Road and Magna Road - are also in line for a speed limit reduction.

Gravel Hill and Arrowsmith Road could see their current national limit of 60mph cut to 40mph, while Magna Road's limit could drop from 40mph to 30mph.

Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation services at Poole council, said: "The transportation strategy aims to reduce injury accidents on our roads.

"Speed is often a contributory factor to this and the severity of the collision."

Cllr Les Burden, head of the transport advisoru group, said Gravel Hill, Arrowsmith Road and Magna Road had come under the council spotlight as a matter of priority.

He said: "We are considering certain priority routes where we consider a reduction in speed limit appropriate to avoid accidents.

"Gravel Hill is massively used and you have the young students of Poole Grammar School using the road.

"Arrowsmith Road is used as a rat-run, and it concerns us there is no footpath along it and the lower end of the road is full of bends."

Cllr Burden said a reduction was also being mooted for the Old Town area because of the greater numbers of pedestrians and cyclists in the town centre.

Informal consultation has taken place with Dorset Police and Wilts & Dorset over the plans.

Gravel Hill's restriction would be enforced from Darby's Corner to the crematorium, while Magna Road would only see a drop for a quarter of a mile westward, from the borough boundary near Bearwood.

The proposed reductions to speed limits on Gravel Hill, Arrowsmith Road and Magna Road could be in place by the summer, although only if the recommendations are approved by cabinet and full council.

Due to the potential impact of dropping the limit in the Old Town area to 20mph, further consultation will take place with residents in the town centre before any changes are introduced.