LIVES are being put at risk by vehicles continually hurtling through a Suffolk village at high speed, it was claimed today.More than 350 people in Bildeston have signed a petition demanding reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures to solve the problem.

LIVES are being put at risk by vehicles continually hurtling through a Suffolk village at high speed, it was claimed today.

More than 350 people in Bildeston have signed a petition demanding reduced speed limits and traffic calming measures to solve the problem.

Petition organiser Frances Van Orden, who lives in the area, said: "There's no doubt something has to be done to slow the traffic passing through the village.

"Every morning and evening motorbikes, cars, vans and lorries race along the High Street and a lot of tearing around goes on as well."

The calls for action have been given increased momentum following a collision between a car and a postman, near to the Market Square on Tuesday.

Mrs Van Orden, wife of the MEP Geoffrey Van Orden, said she was not surprised to hear of the accident, which happened as the postman was returning to his bicycle. Though not seriously hurt, he was unable to complete his round.

"This campaign is just about taking control of the village away from the speeding motorists and giving it back to the people of the village, said Mrs Van Orden.

"It's not fair on the mothers and the elderly walking along the narrow pavements to have these cars racing past."

Village subpostmistress Debbie Bailey has backed the calls for action, but said there needs to be something done to ensure speed restrictions are observed.

"People aren't taking any notice of the 30 miles per hour speed limits so I don't think they would take any notice of the 20 miles per hour speed limit, she said.

"I think we need some sort of traffic calming measure to make sure the vehicles slow down."

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said the issue would be investigated after the petition is handed to Bildeston parish council.