FOUR speed gates have been installed in North Cerney in an effort to discourage speeding motorists.

Gloucestershire county councillor (GCC) Paul Hodgkinson has jointly funded the signs, two at either side of the village, through funds he receives each year for highways projects, alongside GCC Highways department and the parish council.

The first of four gateways into the village was installed in October, with the final one having been put in this month, near the Bathurst Arms pub.

Cllr Hodgkinson said: “Road safety has been an ongoing concern for residents who live along the A435.

“In particular the speed of traffic going through North Cerney.

“There have been regular speed checks by the police and community which show a small but persistent number of drivers exceeding the 40mph limit.

“The centre of the village sees pedestrians including school children crossing the road to catch buses, a busy junction into the village and accessing the pub and primary school.”

Cllr Hodgkinson said he discussed these issues with North Cerney Parish Council last year and – after meeting representatives from GCC’s Highways department on site – they all agreed to jointly fund the four gates.

“These gates are a feature of some other villages in the Cotswolds and the aim is to alert drivers to the fact they’re entering a village environment and a lower speed limit,” said Cllr Hodgkinson, who lives nearby in Perrott’s Brook.

Further up the A435 heading to Cheltenham, two trial gates have also been installed approaching the turning into Rendcomb, as part of the same scheme.

“The aim of these is once again to slow traffic after numerous complaints about difficulties in exiting the junction there safely,” said Cllr Hodgkinson, who has jointly funded the trial with Rendcomb Parish Council.

Earlier this month, Cllrs Hodgkinson and Nigel Robbins vowed to fight GCC’s refusal to reduce the speed limit in Perrott’s Brook from 60 to 30mph, despite 70 residents signing a petition.