Safety campaigners in Warminster have won town council backing to calm traffic along a rat run.

Drivers use Emwell Street, home of Minster Primary School, as a cut through between Silver Street and Vicarage Street. Residents and the school have waged a long campaign to deter vehicles using the one-way street because of accident fears and access problems.

In September Warminster Town Council earmarked £25,000 to improve safety on the road and has been working with the county council on possible schemes.

Last month county officers carried out speed checks on 793 vehicles using the road. Average speeds were not much above 20mph, but principal traffic engineer, Martin Rose, said the narrowness of the street made cars seem faster.

Residents say much of the worst speeding is at night. During the day two vehicles were clocked at over 45mph.

Mr Rose said: "We need to make Emwell Street look like there is no need to go up there unless you are a resident."

The school and residents were asked to give their views on county proposals at a Warminster Town Council meeting on Monday.

Resident Trudy Hoggarth said: "I would like better signs to stop traffic coming down the wrong way. It happens about three or four times a week. One of these days it's going to be disastrous."

All residents present backed the county's Option Two, to install round-top speed humps. Councillors also backed this unanimously and asked for extra white lines to be painted to deter parking, and clearer one-way signs.

The county now has to consult emergency services before it can go ahead. If there are no objections Mr Rose said work could begin by March.