RESIDENTS in Stanpit and Purewell are hoping upcoming measures to calm speeding traffic around the local rat-runs will improve the busy roads in their community.

Chairman of the Purewell and Stanpit Pact committee, Barry Sherwin, submitted a petition signed by hundreds of residents to Christchurch Borough Council in July, calling for a 20mph speed limit along Stanpit .

But at a recent meeting of the community services committee, councillors learnt that current speeds were not high enough to warrant the restricted speed limit.

It is hoped that a new puffin crossing, fondly known as the Rosie Havers crossing after the woman who led the campaign for it, will help reduce the speeds in conjunction with alterations to the current traffic calming measures.

The area has long been a problem for borough highways officers with numerous proposals designed to slow down the traffic rejected by councillors over the years.

Last year narrowing points were installed on the road, allowing two cars to pass at the same time.

But after a few near misses with opposing vehicles, officers agreed to reduce the size of the narrowings to allow only one car to pass at a time, with work due to start in November.

And so far the new measures seem to be successful in bringing down speed levels, with average speeds in the area reduced by 17 per cent, and excessive speeds above 30mph and 40mph virtually eliminated.

Dorset County Council will start work on the Rosie Havers crossing in February, although it is understood that Christchurch council are trying to bring that date forward.

Cllr Ray Nottage, Purewell and Stanpit ward councillor, said: “We are winning against this battle. It has taken us many years to get here but finally the results that are being shown are very positive.

“And we have a long way to go yet.

“Despite the speed reducing, the next issue we have to address is the volume of traffic.

“But all in all, hopefully, come spring next year the road will have been made a lot safer.”