A plan to introduce a 20mph speed limit along the A487 in Aberaeron during school drop-off and pick-up times has been given the thumbs-up by town councillors.

South Wales Trunk Road officials are looking to cut the existing 30mph limit down to 20mph for two half-hourly periods on weekdays.

The temporary 20mph zone – marked by flashing lights – would extend from the entrance to Penmorfa down to Pencarreg, with a permanent zone stretching from Regent Street up to Portland Place.

Welcoming the proposal, town mayor Cllr Elizabeth Evans said it was felt that a permanent 20mph limit through the town was unjustified and that such a move would have necessitated the introduction of speed ramps.

“I wouldn’t have been able to support that,” she told colleagues. “I just feel it wouldn’t have been good for the town.”

Cllr Phill Davies agreed that the introduction of speed ramps would have been ill-advised.

“The fact motorists would be constantly speeding up and slowing down would increase noise pollution as well as actual pollution,” he said. “It would be horrendous.”

Cllr Evans said the proposed scheme would go out to consultation.

But she warned that such speed zones would only be effective if they were properly enforced.

“It doesn’t matter how many speed restrictions we have in place – they are only effective if enforced by local police,” she said.

“And if police just don’t have the necessary manpower to do so then they will be next to no good."

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