16078/1A TOWN councillor has expressed her fears over speeding traffic after witnessing a crash outside a Melksham school.

Cllr Angie Barker is calling for a lower speed limit of 40mph on Bath Road after seeing a crash outside The George Ward School.

A recent campaign to lower speed limits outside other schools in the area has proved a success, with several now reduced to 20mph zones.

Cllr Barker said: "George Ward is one of only two or three schools within the county still with a 40mph speed limit.

"We have won the battle to reduce the speed limit outside the Forest and Sandridge Primary School, and the county council has even agreed to a limited number of 20mph speed limits.

"Wiltshire is one of the counties that is very reluctant to reduce speed limits.

"It's just a constant battle and one that does not have to be so hard fought when common sense should dictate that's what the school needs."

A spokesman for the county council said it is looking into speed limits and a regulatory body would review the matter in March next year.

He said: "It could mean we introduce coloured surfaces but it won't be road humps because it's just not appropriate for that type of road."

"Just because people want the speed limit reduced doesn't always make it appropriate. If you put in a speed limit that's too slow it can cause problems."