Recently I have attended a speed awareness course. Yes, this means I was speeding. I was doing 37 mph in a 30 mph zone - the difference between life and death. Not only did I learn how 40 mph would kill a pedestrian, I also learnt about how speed limits are set by the Gloucestershire Highways.

A road through a built up area, with pavements, street lighting and white lines is likely to be a 30 mph zone, however the one through Steam Mills is 40 mph. This is a road I cross every day with trepidation whilst holding my toddler. This is a road where tens of school children and their parents walk along to get to Steam Mills Primary School. This is a road where the old and young wait nervously for a bus. This is a road where even dear leap across when startled from the woods! This is the A4151 from Cinderford to Drybrook. This is a long straight road where people put their foot down. 

After downloading a speed radar on my phone, I detected road users travelling well above the 40 mph speed limit. Some exceeding 60 mph. This would take a car 73 meters to stop suddenly - that's the length of 6 double decker busses.

It shouldn't have to be like this. Our community should not have to feel afraid to walk down their road. Please sign this petition to ask Gloucestershire Highways to take sensible action and reduce the speed limit of Steam Mills Road between Cinderford and Drybrook to 30 mph.