A countryside protest to put the brakes on speeding drivers has hit the road with a massive show of support.

Around 40 people packed into their local public house last week to plan a campaign for speed reductions on the leafy lanes of South Weald.

Horse riders, cyclists and ramblers say they want to enjoy the rural environment and access Weald Country Park without risking their lives on the roads.

They are calling for a 30 mph speed limit on lanes encompassing the park including Weald Road, Weald Park Way, Wigley Bush Lane, Sandpit Lane, Lincolns Lane and Coxtie Green Road.

Newly elected action group chairman Alan Tumbridge pledged to take the fight to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Ward councillor Jim Shawcross said: "Brentwood Borough Council has a policy for all country lanes to be 30mph but it is not the highway authority - Essex County Council is. Brentwood Council needs support. It needs people to lobby the police and county council."

Campaigners have called a second public meeting today to finalise details of a mass road protest at the beginning of March.

Ramblers plan to undertake a circular route through the village on Saturday, March 2.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002