RESIDENTS living along what they say is a dangerous road have won a ten-year campaign to get the speed limit reduced.

Nearly 600 people signed a petition calling on Monmouthshire council to introduce a 50mph limit on the Old Raglan Road, between the Hardwick roundabout at Abergavenny and Raglan (the B4598), which has a current speed limit of 60mph.

The petition - which voiced concerns of speed, noise and dangerous driving - was handed into Monmouthshire council by councillor Sara Jones, who represents Llanover, last year.

At a meeting of the cabinet, held at County Hall, near Usk, on Wednesday, members voted in favour of lowering the speed limit following consultation with the community.

The speed limit will come into force on the road between the Hardwick roundabout to the Raglan roundabout and from the Steelhorse Cafe on the Old Raglan Road to Usk with the exceptions of Llanfair Kilgeddin and Llancayo where a 40mph limit already exists.

Cllr Jones said: “We’ve had a major problem with accidents on this road. It is one of the most dangerous in Wales.”

Christian Brown, OBE, vice-chairman of Llanover Community Council, said: “The community council is delighted with the decision. It marks the end of a ten-year battle which has been massively supported by residents.”

Cllr Bryan Jones, the cabinet member for county operations, said the proposal was also supported by Gwent Police, Monmouth MP David Davies and AM Nick Ramsay.

However, a 275-named petition opposing the reduction was received from the Steelhorse Cafe at Llanvihangel Gobion signed by its motorcyclist customers who felt the proposal was aimed at them.

Gwent Police recorded 17 road traffic collisions on that road between April 2005 and March 2011, two of which were fatal, six serious and nine were classed as slight collisions.

It will cost Monmouthshire council £17,500 to put the signs in place.