Bid for speed limit reduction in Castle Rising is back on the discussion table

It has been a contentious subject for years and it even led to the end of a lord’s political career in the village.

But soon the speed limit through Castle Rising could be cut in half to stop cars whizzing through the area at 60mph.

The parish council is attempting to change how fast drivers can travel through the village. Their efforts have led to a speed limit review, which found the current 60mph national speed limit is not appropriate and they called for this to be reduced to 30mph.

The changes come after Lord Greville, Baron Howard of Rising, resisted dropping the speed limit in the village, where his family have lived for more than 1,000 years.

He argued that putting 30mph signs would damage the character of the picturesque hamlet – which is in a conservation area – and said people naturally slow down due to the road configuration.

His opposition to the proposal eventually led to a mutiny by his fellow villagers and he was forced out of the parish council.

Now more than 18 months since, the parish council’s ambitions could finally become a reality.

Norfolk County Council is considering the proposal to cut the speed limit as well as other changes to the highway.

These include reducing the speed limit between Castle Rising and South Wootton to 50mph, given the stretch of Lynn Road’s “low-visibility, bends and built-up areas”.

The council would also like to see improvements made to a junction on Lynn Road, changes to the kerb at the entrance to Queen Elizabeth Way and an extension to a footpath along School Road.

In a letter to parishioners, parish council chair John Taylor said: “These options are considered to offer the best safety improvements together with potential reductions in noise and pollution, with little if any visual impact on the core of the village.”

The county council is yet to respond to Castle Rising Parish Council’s requests.