THE campaign to slow down drivers in Much Dewchurch has gathered pace after developers stepped in.

Residents have been calling for more traffic measures for 10 years, so were pleased when Speller Metcalfe and the Steiner Academy jointly funded two illuminated speed signs during work to expand the school nearby.

Parish chairman Len Evans said meetings with police and Herefordshire Council failed to get action taken.

Now locals hope two 30mph notices, which cost £7,000, at either end of the village will remind HGV and other drivers of the restrictions.

“We are grateful to have them there at last. It’s something to prompt people that there is a speed restriction through the village and I doubt very much whether they would have gone up there if it hadn’t been for the academy,” Mr Evans said.

Academy building co-ordinator Chloe Kidel, who is supervising the creation of a new music room, classrooms and school hall, said the gesture had already proved effective.

Principal Trevor Mepham said: “We are happy to be able to contribute to the life of the village and we hope that it’s something that all of us will benefit from – children, parents, colleagues and villagers.”

Speller Metcalfe contract manager Dan Landon said the move had been factored in from day one under the Considerate Constructors Scheme and was a great way to make the village safer.