IT would seem that the Highways department in Somerset has no idea about drivers in this area.

We in Norton have been asking for changes to get drivers of all vehicles to drive though Norton at under 30 mph - something most refuse to do - and Highways, when we asked about extra signs, told us that where there are street lights this means that the 30 rule is law so that extra signs are not needed.

This is, I am afraid, is not the case and I think that highways should rethink this idea.

I was a lorry driver and although I kept a copy of the Highway Code in my bag with maps and town plans that I needed for my job, I can honestly say that I did not sit down and read the Highway Code from cover to cover, plus the fact there are street lights on some motorways, does this mean we must all reduce speed to 30? I think not, that would cause mayhem.

We in Norton will soon have a 30 mph limit from one end of the village to Cross Keys, but I know, with the way some people drive, and this includes vans and lorries, the speed limit will not mean a thing, unless Highways get off this idea that all drivers read the highway code and know that lamp standards mean 30 mph.

We in Norton have nine bends though the village, we have two crossing points one on a very bad bend and the other inside a 40 mph area, we have had a dog knocked down on the crossing and the vehicle failed to stop, and I was nearly run over with my walker trying to cross by the surgery.

Highways say that unless there is a fatal accident they are not prepared to change the rules.

I, as a member of this village who is in their 70s, would like to say to Highways, ‘you have a slapdash way of looking after the general public with a high disregard for safety on our roads’.

It would not cause you any major work problems to put up a few extra 30 mph sign’s though Norton, plus a sign saying bends ahead at each end of the village.

I love my village and am proud to be a part of its rich history, but with traffic trundling though at up to 800 vehicles an hour and most hitting our village bends at speeds over 30 mph our village is becoming an unsafe haven for children, the aged and the infirm.

Highways, you have to sort this situation out before someone has to die.

MIKE PALMER
Norton Fitzwarren