RESIDENTS in a Monmouthshire village say they are 'taking their lives in their hands when turning out of their road end' because of speeding cars.

Residents who live in the Pwllmeyric have said the 40mph speed limit on the A48 by Pwllmeyric Hill isn’t enough and should be dropped because of the constant speeding of passing vehicles.

With many people crossing the busy road to get to the bus stop or post box, a prospective councillor for the area has had enough and set up her own petition to try and lower the speed limit.

Prospective councillor Louise Brown set up the petition asking the speed limit to be lowered to 30mph around a month ago and at the moment around 140 people have signed it.

Ms Brown said: “When I am out knocking on doors, talking to residents, they tell me they no longer feel safe crossing the road – even to go to the post box.

“Children have to cross to get the school bus to Chepstow Comprehensive. There was a nasty accident there just recently, involving a number of vehicles and we don’t want any more.

"Change is long overdue. This is a busy and dangerous stretch of road and I am determined to get the speed limit lowered.”

Just a few weekends ago there was a five car crash at the bottom of the hill, which has caused further worry to locals.

John Pritchard has been living on Chapel Lane for the past five years with his wife and two young children and said he has seen numerous accidents. He also said turning right out of Chapel Lane onto Pwllmeyric Hill is "incredibly dangerous" because of the blind bend.

“Sometimes feels like we're taking our lives in our hands when turning out of our road end,” Mr Pritchard said.

“You only have a certain amount of time to judge the road and move out as the view is very limited. It’s quite scary.

"There have been many accidents since we moved here, it's quite worrying."

The 38-year-old also said that many school children have to cross the busy road, which is a worry to several families, including himself, as he has a four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.

He said: “The village is essentially cut in two by the road. And at my recollection a traffic survey found 1 in 7 cars doing over 46 mph. So for all of us, especially school children and the elderly, it is so dangerous just to get to the bus stop and post box.

"Because the speed is 40mph you have people going closer to 50mph, which is especially dangerous for anyone who is crossing the road. What if a family is crossing with young children or someone elderly is crossing? Who knows what could happen.

"Hopefully the petition will do something or will at least help us do something to stop this speeding. Another accident in imminent.”

Another resident who lives on Chapel Lane, Robert Powell, said the problem isn't just the speeding cars.

"There are large lorries and tipper trucks that come shooting down the hill at such a speed," said the 62-year-old. "I know they come down at well over 40mph because the speed sign flashes when they come past. If you don't know the road you might not even realise there's a blind bend.

"Also the general population of Pwllmeyric is of an older age, and a lot of them still drive. My neighbour, for example, is 96-years-old and still drives.

"Turning on to the road from Chapel Lane is so difficult anyway, but if you are older then your reaction time might be slower and its even more worrying."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said: "The concerns of the residents of Pwllmeyric are noted. However, instances of motorists using excessive speed can be addressed by Gwent Police. We look forward to receiving the petition, which will be duly considered by the council.”

Gwent Police said that although speed restrictions on roads are the responsibility of the local authority, they are currently working with Monmouthshire County Council and other partners regarding "the implementation of a joint Road Safety Procedure, which will incorporate a review of requests of this nature."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "At this current time we are enforcing the 40mph speed limit as set by the council. Anyone caught breaking this limit will be dealt with robustly.

Speed limits are in place for reason and a few miles per hour faster can mean the difference between life and death.

"We would ask for all local residents to come forward and report any speeding offences to the police directly on 101 or 999 in an emergency."

For more information on the petition or to sign the petition, contact Louise Brown on clouisebrown82@gmail.com