VILLAGERS in Loxton and Christon are appealing for speed restrictions to stop drivers using their main roads as a 'rat run'. Residents are becoming increasingly concerned for their safety and fear the lack of parking facilities and increase in speeding ve

VILLAGERS in Loxton and Christon are appealing for speed restrictions to stop drivers using their main roads as a 'rat run'.Residents are becoming increasingly concerned for their safety and fear the lack of parking facilities and increase in speeding vehicles is an accident waiting to happen.Speaking at Loxton Parish Council meeting, concerned resident Philip Springfield, said: "The roads have been identified as a rat run particularly coming in and out of Loxton. Vehicles are going substantially faster than 30mph."I think we should have a speed limit in both villages as it's extremely dangerous and somebody will get badly hurt soon."Christon Road in Loxton and Loxton Road in Christon currently have no speed limits and residents are calling for a 30mph limit through the residential areas to try and slow vehicles down. Drivers have also been parking their vehicles along the main roads, causing congestion and making it dangerous for people pulling out of their drives.Parish councillor Margaret Rutherford said: "I'm getting more concerned about unsafe parking and traffic in both villages. I can't get out of my gate now because somebody is parking directly opposite me. It's become a very dangerous village."Mrs Rutherford suggested the parish council buy a piece of land to use as a village car park.The parish council agreed to ask the police to keep an eye on the problem of speeding and dangerous parking.The council will also be asking villagers their views on a range of issues next month through a questionnaire which will be used to compile a village appraisal - similar to a parish plan.Issues like speeding and new parking facilities will be raised and the parish council said it will act on both issues when it finds out what residents want.