RESIDENTS at Littlemoor in Weymouth have welcomed a new '20 is plenty' road safety scheme.

Around 30 residents turned out for a socially-distanced launch event at Louviers Road to applaud the first road sign being attached to a lamp post by Littlemoor and Preston councillor Louie O'Leary.

The signs encourage drivers to keep speeds below 20 miles per hour - and although the speed limit has not officially changed, it is hoped the measures are a step in the right direction, after residents raised concerns that reckless drivers were turning the area "into a race track."

As reported, around 300 signs will be going up around the Littlemoor estate to remind drivers to keep speeds down, with a particular focus on streets near the playpark and primary school. The signs are now on most of Louviers Road.

Cllr Christine James and Weymouth mayor Graham Winter also attended the launch event.

Cllr James, who instigated the idea in the Westham area of Weymouth over ten years ago, paid tribute to cllr O'Leary for resurrecting the scheme.

"I hope this will make people more aware of their speed limits, and that it will be the start of a long-term road safety strategy on the Littlemoor estate," she said.

Meanwhile, mayor Graham Winter paid tribute to the late Jan Hinton, who set up an earlier '20 is plenty' scheme in Littlemoor over 15 years ago. He also praised cllr O'Leary for his efforts.

Jacquie Churchill, a youth worker at the Littlemoor youth club on Louviers Road spoke of the need for drivers to reduce speeds to allow youngsters to cross the road safely.

"In Littlemoor we worry about the speed of traffic on the estate," she said.

"The Top Club has recently become a hub for football coaching for four to eight year-old children - and, with a variety of uses within the club and field, access across a busy road has to be safe.

"This rule also follows for all play parks in the Littlemoor area. A 20 mile per hour speed limit is sufficient for our children's safety."