A MAXIMUM speed limit of 50 mph could be the right route for cutting down accidents along the notorious A140.After years of campaigning for the major Ipswich to Norwich link to be made safer, Suffolk County Council's Route Management Study (RMS) is to propose the experimental order next week.

A MAXIMUM speed limit of 50 mph could be the right route for cutting down accidents along the notorious A140.

After years of campaigning for the major Ipswich to Norwich link to be made safer, Suffolk County Council's Route Management Study (RMS) is to propose the experimental order next week.

It is expected to come into force during the early autumn.

Campaigners have been pushing for dualing of the whole stretch of the road that has claimed the lives of 79 people over the last 21 years.

But with the exception of a 2.2km length of dual carriageway at the south end and a short length of the Scole by-pass, the Suffolk section of the A140 is still single carriageway.

The RMS has however come up with what could be a solution to improve safety, quality of life for residents and driver behaviour.

A maximum 50 mph would complement the introduction of 30 and 40 mph limits in villages along the route.

The proposal to the rights of way and traffic management sub committee on September 4 is to impose the maximum speed for an 18-month period.

There are many side road junctions and accesses along the A140 and very few have right turning lanes.

It is proposed that 30 and 40 mph limits be imposed along the A140 between its junction with the A14 and the A143:

Earl Stonham to Stonham Parva: 30 mph limit to replace the existing 40mph through the built-up area of the villages.

Brockford Street: 30mph limit to replace the existing 40mph through the village.

Brome: A 40mph limit on the length of the A140 at Brome.

Elsewhere: on all other sections, with the exception of the length of existing permanent 50mph limits, through Creeting St Mary and Coddenham.

The limits would be marked by vehicle activated signs in each direction at two locations using either Too Close or Too Fast wording.

During the 78-month period between January 1, 1997 to June 30, 2003 nine fatal, 36 serious injury and 147 slight injury accidents happened on the road.

In the last 21 years there have been 79 fatal accidents.

Police have concerns that the proposal will be difficult to adequately enforce but accept the limit is for an experimental period and could be removed if not effective.

If the order is introduced there would be a further report after 12 months of being implemented.