COMMUNITY leaders in a north Durham village are celebrating after councillors agreed a package of speed restriction changes – including cutting the limit on two housing estates to 20mph.

Durham County Council’s highways committee meeting endorsed a 30mph speed limit through Waldridge Village and to make a Waldridge Link Road a 40mph speed limit over its entire length.

They also decided to introduce a 20mph zone on the Meadow Drive and Waldridge Park Estates, Chester-le-Street.

The proposals includes the introduction of a gateway feature at Waldridge Village at the transition point between the current 40mph speed limit on Waldridge Road and the new 30mph speed limit on entering the village.

Cllr Keith Davidson, who represents the ward, said: “I am delighted with the decision of the highways committee.

“It is something that has widespread support within the community – specially among the residents of Waldridge Village and Waldridge Park.

“It’s going to make residential areas safer for everyone."

The committee meeting was told that concerns had been raised by the Waldridge Parish Council and residents of Waldridge Village about speeding on the C91 road.

Having reviewed the speed limits in the area linked to the C91, Durham Constabulary raised concerns about the nearby Waldridge Link Road.

The road is subject to a 40mph speed limit over most of its length with a section of 30mph at the northern end of the road, from its junction with Embleton Drive to the roundabout junction with the C91 Waldridge Road.

Within the 30mph section of Waldridge Link road there is a lack of immediate roadside property frontage and speed surveys showed that motorists were ignoring the 30mph speed limit.

This suggested the road was not “self-explaining” as a built up area, councillors were told.

Durham Constabulary gave their support for a 30mph limit through Waldridge Village, but requested the current 30mph speed limit on the Waldridge Link road be changed to 40mph along its entire length.

Durham Constabulary said this is necessary to ensure the overall credibility of the posted speed limits were meaningful to motorists.

Both Meadow Drive and Waldridge Park Estate have existing traffic traffic calming measures, comprising speed humps and cushions, designed to keep traffic flow to a speed of 20mph to 25mph.

Therefore the introduction of a a 20mph zone by simply putting up signs would be cost effective, the meeting was told.