A COUNCILLOR is stepping up his fight to lower the speed limit on the road where a teenager was killed in February.

Cllr Fred Drane, who represents Lytchett Matravers on Dorset County Council and Purbeck District Council, has been fighting for more safety on Huntick Road since 2008.

But following the death of 19-year-old Mikey Maguire on the road last month, Cllr Drane said something must be done before anyone else is hurt. He wants the speed limit reduced from 60mph to 40mph.

“I have circulated a petition, which is filling up like lightning,” he said.

“It is so upsetting to hear about this latest incident.

“All the effort I have made round here should have avoided this.

“I don’t know that for sure of course, but at least there was a chance that if the county council had listened to me, this wouldn’t have happened.”

He added that where the crash took place under the trees was dark enough to look “like night” during the day.

Cllr Drane said: “I drove up there straight after the accident, and there was a lady with a dog who’d had to practically push herself into a hedge to avoid the traffic.

“All I want is a hard shoulder and a lower speed limit, but they are saying it’s too expensive.”

The councillor led a walk along the road five years ago to highlight the dangers to school children of walking from Lytchett Matravers to Lytchett Minster School.

The county council has now agreed to put signage and dotted white lines on the road close to the entrance of the Huntick Farm Caravan Park.

However, Cllr Drane said the modifications will not be made at the site of the crash.

“What are they thinking of?” he said.

“If we can avoid it happening again ,then that is what we should be doing.”

Mikey’s mum Allison Jarman said she is grateful for the councillor’s support.

Branksome West councillor Karen Rampton said: “It’s happening a lot, it would seem. Winston Avenue is such a lovely quiet road. With the school just up the road, this will worry people.”