TANKER drivers at Hamble's giant BP Oil Terminal have imposed their own speed limit along a half-mile stretch of Hamble Lane - dubbed the busiest B road in Britain.

On average there are about 200 petrol tanker movements a day up and down the road and drivers are worried about the stretch from the Hound roundabout southwards to the start of the 30mph limit near Hamble Primary School.

The section is currently a 40mph speed limit, but the drivers say the limit should be cut to 30 because of the numbers of Hamble Community Sports College pupils using it - especially in the morning and afternoon.

The tanker drivers say it makes no sense to have a 30mph limit near the primary school, yet the adjoining section near the community school is rated at 40mph.

The HGV men point to an increase over the past few years of children bunching dangerously close to the kerb and occasionally spilling into the road.

Now the drivers have agreed to drop tanker speeds to 30mph over the section during peak school times.

The move follows a drivers' meeting - and contract drivers using the terminal have also said they will follow suit.

Terminal manager Mike Myden said: "This is a decision by the drivers and they have my full backing.

"I am 100 per cent in favour of anything that will increase road safety and protect children in Hamble Lane."

Now, Eastleigh borough and Hamble parish councillor Bill Pepper will be calling on the borough council's Bursledon, Hamble and Hound local area committee to investigate the possibility of extending the 30mph limit in Hamble Lane to 50 metres beyond the Hound roundabout.

His move will go before Thursday's meeting of the local area committee.