"Stop speeding!" - OAP (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

"Stop speeding!" - OAP

AN 83-year-old man is spearheading a campaign to get speed signs put up in Siddington. Fred Wheeler of Elizabeth Way says it is a very dangerous place to live because cars come through the village at a rate of knots.

He said: "We don't need to go to the Formula 1 tracks because we have it outside our window.

"There's a post office which we all use, it's our lifeline as its the only shop in the village.

"Residents from Elizabeth Way have to cross over a very dangerous speedy road where there's no pedestrian crossing to get to the Post Office.

"We have a pavement on one side of the road but have to cross over to a very narrow and uneven path on the other side to reach the shop, and of course the reverse on the return journey."

A retired electronics engineer, Mr Wheeler has lived in the village for more than two years.

He wants to have interactive flashing signs that will warn traffic of their speed as they enter the village.

But needs £4,000 to purchase the first solar-powered interactive sign.

He said: "At the moment we must concentrate on the one that is generally considered the most dangerous, that being from the Ashton Keynes direction.

"Providing we can maintain the interest with financial support the other two can follow on."

Mr Wheeler wants the first sign to be placed at the junction of Nursery View coming into Siddington from Ashton Road, the second to be placed coming in on the Siddington Road from Cirencester as you enter the village and the third to be situated just after turning into Park Way from Spratsgate Lane.

He said: "Everyone supports me but I need financial help.

"If I could get half the amount needed for one sign I could probably get the other half as a grant."

The Greyhound is going to hold various functions and the Post Office is looking to hold a quiz to raise money for the project.

Parish council clerk Ken Harrison said: "We are very supportive of what Mr Wheeler is doing.

"The council has tried various methods to improve the safety along that road.

"We have got some improvements like the moving of the speed signs and traffic mirrors.

"We have been unsuccessful in obtaining any more substantial improvements such as pedestrian crossings and road humps.

"As an individual Mr Wheeler may be able to achieve more than we can as a parish council.

"We have invited him to the meeting on September 9 to address the councillors."

Donations towards the campaign can be taken to the village shop and the Greyhound.