Proposals to reduce speed limits in Wells have been enthusiastically welcomed – but one suggested additional traffic calming measure has been condemned as a “total nightmare” for the town.

Norfolk County Council is carrying out a consultation over proposals to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph on Two Furlong Hill and change the speed restriction from 30mph to 20mph on parts of Burnt Street and Church Street. This is being considered as part of highways works associated with the development of 123 new homes off Two Furlong Hill and Market Lane, opposite Alderman Peel High School.

Wells Town Council voted this week in favour of the reduced speed limits and went further, asking for the zones to be extended.

Town councillors want the 20mph limit to include all of Burnt Street, all of Church Street, Polka Road up to the junction with Maryland – including the areas past Wells Primary School and the new Anglia Co-op supermarket – plus all of Market Lane and Waveney Close.

They also want to extend the 30mph limit on Two Furlong Hill further out of Wells. Monday’s meeting saw the biggest public turnout at Wells Town Council for several months and the vote followed a lively debate in which several members of the public, including Alderman Peel High School and Wells Primary School head teacher Alastair Ogle, spoke in favour of reducing the speed limits.

Campbell MacCallum, Wells Town Council’s portfolio holder for traffic and parking issues, said: “For years we have been trying to do something to reduce speed in the town.

“Three years ago the whole town had a vote on the issue and the vast majority were in favour of reducing the speed limits but the county council found reasons why they could not go through with that at the time.

“Our priority should be to protect the safety of children and people in the town and I am delighted that this is now back on the agenda.

“It is also great to see so many people at the meeting debating the issue and to see local democracy in action.”

Wells Town Council also voted against an additional county council proposal to widen the footpath at two locations on Church Street and Burnt Street.

This would essentially create what are known as “pinch points” allowing just single-vehicle flow.

This proposal was widely condemned by town councillors and the many members of the public at the meeting.

Town councillor Gary Anthony said: “A pinch point may be a good thing for most of the year but for six or seven weeks of the summer it will be an absolute nightmare.

“The town would come to a complete standstill time and time again to a point where the police would need to be called to sort the mess out.”

Norfolk County Council will now consider Wells Town Council’s feedback as part of its consultation.”

What do you think? Send your views to dft.letters@archant.co.uk, including your name and address.