MONMOUTHSHIRE council will consider lowering the speed limit on a road that residents say is dangerous.

A petition of just under 600 signatures was handed into the council last year calling for the speed limit on the Old Raglan Road, between Abergavenny and Raglan, to be lowered from 60mph to 50mph.

They say speed, noise and dangerous driving are a major problem on the road which runs through Llanvair Kilgeddin, Llanvihangel Gobion and Penpergwm and have witnessed bikers and cars travelling at more than 90mph.

Local councillor Sara Jones said residents have been campaigning for a speed reduction for more than 20 years on the road which she said has its highest reading of 156mph.

Natalie Chiplin, who owns The King of Prussia public house at Penpergwm, said: “Along this stretch of road we have to live with estimated 90mph plus being the ‘norm’ speed limit for motorbikes, cars and certain vans.”

“They undertake and overtake along this road. Exceeding the limit is commonplace, certainly at weekends. Residents and visitors to the area must not be subjected to these idiotic drivers any longer.”

“All we are asking is for drivers to slow down and drive with more care. As well as residents we have a nursing home, businesses and working farms along this road.”

Miss Chiplin, 36, said her customers complain about the speed, noise and lack of care drivers take along the road.

Local councillor Sara Jones said residents have voiced their concern with her on many occasions.

“They are concerned for safety and businesses reliant on tourism are reporting a detrimental effect from the speed of traffic on their visitor numbers. Whilst I appreciate that some may feel that the current limit of 60mph is adequate the overwhelming response I have received from residents is that they wish to see a lower limit.”

Monmouth AM, Nick Ramsay said he shared their concerns.

He said: “I am regularly contacted by residents who are worried about the impact of the traffic on these rural roads. With the mix of slow moving farm vehicles and an increasing number of cyclists we need to ensure our roads are safe for all users as well as ensuring that our tourism and leisure businesses are not detrimentally affected.”

A proposed order to reduce the limit has been formed by Monmouthshire council following consultation with the community which ended on October 31. A report will now be prepared for Cllr Bryan Jones, the cabinet member for county operations, to consider.