LONG-SUFFERING residents in a Hampshire village are set to get their wish for speed limit reductions to be extended.

Chilworth Parish Council fought for years to have a 40mph limit installed on Chilworth Road and 30mph limits on other roads in the village.

But when action was finally taken by Hampshire County Council, the 40mph limit did not cover the length of the A27 through Chilworth, nor did it apply in Chilworth Old Village.

Alan Dowden, Hampshire County councillor for Chilworth, said the county had now agreed to extend the 40mph limit past the turning for the church, as well as installing a 30mph limit through the old village.

He said: "I've been pushing to get it extended because people in the old village get cars speeding through there. They have been waiting years and years for this.

"The county is now designing the scheme and it's likely to be installed in June next year at the latest."

Chilworth Parish Council chairman Roy Heath said: "When the 40mph limit was brought in, one of our former members suggested it should start before you get to the turning for the church from North Baddesley - and I think she was absolutely right.

"The road through the old village can be very dangerous, too, and there are lots of elderly people living there, so we are really pleased it will be a 30mph zone."

Parish councillor Alan Bewick added: "Many people on the Chilworth Road are still going through at 60mph so it will need some enforcing."

Hampshire County Council spokeswoman Sarette Martin said the matter would go for consultation with the police early in the new year.