RESIDENTS in Malmesbury have held a public meeting campaigning for a reduction in speed limits around the town.

The meeting took place in Malmesbury Town Hall last week, where questionnaires collected from residents were presented.

The results of the questionnaires and the views expressed at the meeting are to be forwarded to Wiltshire County Council's traffic department.

The questionnaires had been tailored for different areas of Malmesbury.

One area targeted was Burton Hill, while another was about Bristol Street, the Triangle and the Gloucester Road area.

Another questionnaire was distributed in the Filands and Whitchurch area, while another concerned residents living near the A429 through Corston.

John Kadwell, of St Paul Malmesbury Without Residents' Association, who lives in Corston, helped organise the meeting and spoke at the town hall. He said about half the people approached had returned their questionnaires.

John Wheatley, of Ivy House, in Burton Hill, addressed the meeting on behalf of residents in Burton Hill.

An extension of the 40mph limit through Burton Hill is to be introduced by the county council, following funding from North Wiltshire District Council.

Mr Wheatley said residents had expressed a desire that it should be extended at least 100 yards beyond the entrance to Burton Hill House School, coming out of Malmesbury.

Mr Kadwell said villagers in Corston wanted to turn the A429 from Kingsway Bridge through to Malmesbury into a controlled speed zone.

"We would like them to introduce a gateway at either end of the A429 and turn the road into a fortress for cars, forcing people to slow down," he said.

"The A429 has become a mini-motorway and there is no restriction on the ever-increasing volume, with pedestrians intimidated and fearful of the vehicles through the village."

Residents in Bristol Street, The Triangle and Gloucester Road area said they wanted traffic to be slowed down, lorries to be banned, a zebra crossing in the triangle and some pavements repaired.

Residents said they were worried about the extra traffic that will be created when Malmesbury School is relocated to Bristol Road at the Corn Gastons junction by September 2002.

Residents in Filands said they wanted the speed limit reduced from 60mph to at least 40mph at the Filands junction.