I WAS surprised at the reaction of readers Roy Saunders and Phil Woodward to the introduction of a 40mph speed limit on Millbrook Road.

The Highways Agency has taken criticism over the years for lack of improvements to our roads but in this case I would agree that the change would be beneficial on a number of counts.

Not only will this improve safety and cut pollution but hopefully reduce the high levels of road noise created by the passing traffic which residents have to suffer.

A reduction of 10 mph will simply mean drivers will come to a stop at the queue at either end of the road a few seconds later.

I doubt that any driver will be able to exceed the new limit during peak periods as in my experience the traffic is either at a standstill or crawling from Mountbatten Way until the Redbridge Roundabout.

Roy Saunders suggests that poor motorists be given a period of adjustment to get used to the new limit. Surely once the 40mph signs are clearly in place any motorist, poor or otherwise, that fails to observe them and reduce speed is breaking the law and should be treated accordingly.

I would also suggest that the Highways Department might also look into reducing the limit on The Avenue to 30mph. The existing lanes are very narrow and drivers have little room for error when all four lanes are carrying traffic.

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Chris Hinds, Southampton