FED up villagers at Westcott packed a public meeting last week to demand a reduction in the number of speeding motorists along the busy A25.

Around 90 residents gathered at the parish church in support of their vicar, the Rev Alan Jonas, who started the campaign rolling in July when he attacked the “arrogance, selfishness and complete disregard for others” shown by many drivers.

The meeting, attended by Mole Valley’s MP, Sir Paul Beresford, and district councillor, Laurence Matthews, decided to set up a special pressure group to press for better enforcement.

Representatives from county highways and the police listened as speaker after speaker complained that the prospect of a serious accident was inevitable unless action was taken to bring irresponsible drivers to heel.

“A lot of people vented feelings about the danger, speed and other problems connected with the road,” said Mr Jonas.

“Some people living close to the road complained that they were unable to use their front rooms because of noise and vibration from the traffic. Others said they were being woken up in the night by it.” Highways chiefs told the meeting that the possibility of providing another crossing in the village, by the school, was being looked at.

The vicar said that everyone in Westcott was concerned about the problem. “The fact that 90 people turned up at the meeting shows the level of concern that is there,” he went on.

“It is a miracle that no one has already been seriously injured or killed. People who come to visit the village can’t believe the amount of traffic that comes through.”

Mr Jonas struck a cord with his flock when he wrote in his parish magazine that the village had suffered enough from motorists “flagrantly breaking the law”, sometimes at speeds over 60mph. Ironically, shortly after launching his campaign to enforce the speed limit, he nearly became the first victim.

Mr Jonas narrowly missed being run over by a car while crossing the road opposite his vicarage accompanied by his elderly dog Bella. He was forced to literally drag the dog to safety and admitted the experience had left him fuming.