VILLAGERS in Wingfield have got together to appeal for road safety improvements in their community before someone is killed.

Concern about traffic speeds and the lack of pavements has led to a petition signed by 85 per cent of householders.

The petition was organised by the Wingfield Safety Group, which has been set up by concerned residents.

Group member Maureen Spreadbury said: "About 85 per cent of the village signed the petition, all but 12 houses. We are concerned about the whole village, not just the speed.

"The roads are very fast and straight, with narrow verges and no kerbs. Lorries are gradually eroding the edge of the roads.

"The roads are dangerous for the children and the elderly."

The speed limit through the village is 50mph but some traffic passes through at much higher speeds.

Mrs Spreadbury said: "Wingfield is really a collection of hamlets. To get to the pub, school or post office you have to walk down these busy roads.

"We have more young children in the village now, more young families than we have had for a while.

"You cannot walk from one part of the village to another with a pushchair and another child at the side.

"We don't want endless pavements and urban areas, we love the country, but we do want to make it easier for the children to walk to school."

The village is calling for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph.

Mrs Spreadbury said it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.

She said: "At the moment cars and lorries drive through the village so fast children are wafted by the traffic speed."

The petition will be presented to Wiltshire County Council's regulatory committee on Wednesday.