Speed Limit Could Be Cut On A5199

The speed limit along a stretch on the A5199 – dubbed one of the area’s worst accident blackspots – could be cut to 50mph.

Highway bosses are considering the move on the approaches to the Shearsby Crossroads, following a major campaign by those living nearby.

They say the section of road will be assessed next year, as part of Leicestershire County Council’s rural roads initiative, to see if the limit should be cut from 60mph.

A motorcyclist and car driver have been killed in that area this year and there have been 12 other accidents.

Landowners are also being asked to remove certain trees and hedges that obstruct drivers’ approaches to the crossroads and replace them with ranch fencing.

Over 600 people signed a petition earlier this year calling for safety improvements.

Blake Pain, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, who also represents Shearsby, said: “We did introduce a package of safety measures in 2016 as there had been 11 injury accidents recorded over the current five-year period.

“This particular section of the A5199 will also be assessed during 2019 as part of the council’s rural roads initiative to see if the speed limit should be reduced to 50mph.”