A VOLUNTARY 20-mph limit could be imposed in a South Craven village in a bid to slash the speed of vehicles.

Residents in Cononley are getting increasingly concerned about the speed of traffic travelling along its Main Street.

And they have been told it could be up to 10 years before traffic calming measures can be installed due to a lack of cash.

Now every household in Cononley is being asked if it would back the introduction of a voluntary 20-mph speed limit through the centre of the village.

Parish councillors have leafleted about 400 homes to gauge people's reaction to the idea.

"We've been told that Cononley will not move up the list for traffic calming measures unless there is a serious accident, but that's what we're trying to prevent," said parish council chairman David Banks.

"But the highways department won't put up 20-mph signs unless we have traffic calming, so we're in a catch 22 situation."

Mr Banks said more and more motorists were using the back roads to get from Keighley to Skipton, which meant travelling through Cononley.

"It all started when they were strengthening the bridge at Bradley and people used Cononley to avoid the traffic jams," he said.

The letter sent to all households explains that the village is "well down the list" of traffic calming schemes waiting to be installed.

It also explains that North Yorkshire Police do not have the manpower to enforce a 20-mph zone if signs were erected.

"A 20-mph limit would clearly keep residents' speeds down, but it would also reduce the speed of other motorists travelling behind," added Mr Banks.

Residents are asked to return a tear-off slip on the letter with their views on the implementation of a voluntary limit.

Results are due to be discussed at April's monthly parish council meeting.

The parish council is also considering printing car stickers for motorists in favour of the voluntary limit.

Andy Gregory, of Cononley Post Office, which is collating the responses, said more than 80 forms supporting the limit had been returned in the first week.

"Everyone seems to be a favour of it," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.