A 113-strong petition has helped in convincing Somerset County Council that speed monitoring is necessary on Sandhurst Road, Yeovil.

Residents hope monitoring will lead to appropriate speed-reducing measures and to confirmation of their own observations.

In the petition, which was handed in to Yeovil Town Council, residents say: "Sandhurst Road is a residential road. Down its full length it has no speed signs, no central road markings and no junction warning signs, which for the volume of traffic on this busy commuter route is now essential.

"We have carried out our own study of volume of traffic using this road and can report that it is in excess of 150 vehicles per hour during the day, increasing during the morning and evening rush hours."

Residents also say they are not interested in the average speed, but the top speed of individual vehicles.

Confirmation was given last week that speed-monitoring equipment will be put in place in two locations along the road, although the start date is yet to be announced.

MP David Laws welcomed the news and said: "I am glad that the council has decided to monitor traffic speeds in Sandhurst Road.

"Many local residents are very worried by local traffic speed and this scheme should determine how many cars are speeding and so inform decisions about traffic calming measures.

"If the results of this study show that there is a serious speeding problem, then I hope the council will seriously consider residents' requests for action to deter irresponsible motorists."