HIGHWAYS officers have decided not to reduce the speed limit along the Bromyard bypass.

Herefordshire Council came to decision following a review which looked at the sustainability of reducing the 40mph limit to 30mph along the A44.

Officers said the road has a good safety record and that reducing the limit could lead to other problems such as an increase in tailgating and overtaking.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said: “We recently conducted a thorough review of this section of the A44, locally known as the Bromyard bypass, to determine the suitability of reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph.

“This stretch of road has a good recent safety record and good level of compliance with the existing 40mph limit.

“Given the dimensions of this carriageway, we feel that many responsible drivers would see a reduced 30mph speed limit as unreasonably low.

“Following discussions, it is clear that the police share our concern that this could result in lower levels of compliance and the potential for an increase in overtaking, tailgating and inattention.

“On all types of road it is important that drivers recognise that it is their duty to drive with due care and attention and as such adopt lower speeds than the posted speed limit as conditions dictate.”