A request for the 30mph extension has been made to the Mid Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee by Bow Parish Council, which is being supported by the County Councillor for Crediton, Cllr Nick Way.
Cllr Way submitted the request for a departure of DCC policy to extend the 30mph zone.
In his request, Cllr Way said: "Over recent years, Bow’s village centre has seen many changes. Its shop, Post Office and one of the two public houses have closed.
"Retail, commercial and leisure facilities now serving the village have relocated or further developed their businesses 300 to 400 metres to the west, beyond the village boundary at Burston, almost a mile away from many of the local housing developments near the village’s eastern boundary.
"A well-used pedestrian pathway linking Burston to the main village and running parallel to the main A3072, was installed approximately 10 years ago. Extra traffic has been generated because of these changes.
"The shop, garden centre and new sports field facility owners have all installed large car parks for their customers, creating even more traffic, and road safety is increasingly becoming a great concern locally.
"More details including the numbers of customers using these facilities has been researched and provided separately by Bow Parish Council who support this request.
Facilities and business at Burston now include:
• Garden and Aquatic Centre. This includes a recently opened café and new Post Office
• Co-op supermarket is the only supermarket for miles around
• Mid Devon Caravans draw customers from a wide area
• Burston Meadows Sports and Recreation Ground opened last year. Users include two football teams and the local scout group.
• Several businesses including an art gallery are now situated on the old sawmill site
• Bus stop for the Okehampton / Hatherleigh to Exeter services.
The Local Speed Limits Policy DTP34/05 states: "The norm in communities (minimum density three frontages per 100 metres) Minimum of 20 frontages over 600 metres".
"A significant number of pedestrians increasingly use the footpaths between the village, retail outlets and sports facilities etc at Burston.
"The footfall/traffic now generated is more than equal to the required minimum density of frontages that would be generated by the number of frontages mentioned in the policy.
"I therefore request the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee support the recommendation for Cabinet to grant a departure of policy and to extend the 30mph zone 40 to 50 metres to the west of the Bow Garden and Aquatic Centre at Burston.
The Mid Devon HATOC meeting was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the proposal is expected to be discussed at the committee’s next meeting.