A REDUCED speed limit through a village where a pensioner was knocked down and died has come into force.

Durham County Council agreed to a 30mph limit on the A690 through Brancepeth, near Durham, following a long-running residents’ campaign, which hit the headlines last November after Ellen Hendry was struck moments after getting off a bus.

Durham Police today warned motorists they will enforce the new limit immediately, issuing fixed penalty tickets or pursuing prosecutions, depending on the seriousness of the offence.

Temporary Superintendent Andy Huddleston, head of the force’s operations department, said his officers would regularly patrol the village to enforce the new limit.

"The introduction of the new speed limit has been well publicised and the relevant road signs have been installed.

"Drivers should be aware our officers will be checking the route on a regular basis to ensure compliance," he said.

Coun Bob Young, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic environment and leisure, said: "We have worked very closely with residents and local groups in Brancepeth to come up with a thorough programme of improvements that will make Brancepeth safer place for both pedestrians and road users.

"We have carried out a comprehensive programme very quickly which includes extensive high visibility road markings and high profile signage highlighting the new reduced speed limit.

"Public safety is a high priority for the council and we urge drivers to stick to the new limits or face the consequences."

Major John Jackson, chairman of Brancepeth Parish Council, said: "After so many years of battling for this speed limit we feel that, provided it is enforced by the police, Brancepeth will be a safer place.

"It is unfortunate it has taken so long for the 30mph limit to be installed. During that time a death has occurred on the A690.

"The resulting inquest produced the fact that the then 40mph limit was unenforceable. It was necessary for the parish council to petition Parliament and for our MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, to take up the case for the reduced speed limit.

"But the outcome is very satisfactory - provided that the new speed limit can be enforced by the police."