SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has agreed to change the speed limit on an important route out of Yate.

The authority’s transport committee has passed a proposal to lower a number of different limits on the B4059 Latteridge Road, which connects Yate and Iron Acton with the A38 and is a popular road with HGV drivers accessing the M5 southbound.

The limit will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph on the B4059 and B4427 between the junction with the B4058 Bristol Road and Earthcott and the B4059 through Latteridge from 60mph to 40mph. On the B4059 Yate Road, from its roundabout junction with Iron Acton Way to Stover Road, the limit will also be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

The changes follow a high accident record – 37 injury accidents between 2001 and 2012 of which 34 were slight and three were serious.

Richard Lewis, senior engineer for the authority, said in a report to the planning, transportation and strategic environment committee: “The B4059 passes through the centre of the rural villages of Latteridge and Earthcott. It is an important route between the M5 motorway and the Iron Acton bypass and carries a significant proportion of HGV traffic.

“The proposed speed limit changes are in keeping with the nature of the road. The existing speed limit consists of two lengths of 40 mph separated by a short section of national speed limit.”

Despite several objections to the scheme, from people who claimed the £30,000 project would be a waste of money, the council has agreed to implement the speed limit changes in this financial year.

Said Mr Lewis: “The level of objection should not prevent the scheme from being implemented.”