Speed limit reduced in Mosterton following fatal crash

The current speed limit for the A3066 into Mosterton village is 60mph - however a new 'buffer' limit will be put in place this month, reducing the limit on a section of road on the northern side of the village to 40mph, before the 30mph limit starts through the main community.

The subject of speeding in the area has been highlighted to authorities by Mosterton Parish Council and locals following a fatal crash which occurred in the village in February last year.

Nicole Anne Bowden, 48, died after being hit by drink driver Shane Bovey, 41, who was travelling from Lyme Regis at speeds of nearly 70mph when he lost control and crashed into her as well as her daughter Emily Fox-Williams and her 11-month-old grandson. 

Nicole died in the early hours of Thursday, February 9 while Emily suffered very serious injuries.

Nicole Bowden died after being fatally hit by drunk driver Shane Bovey near Beaminster. (Image: Kieran Bell)

Bovey was sentenced to 14 years in prison and disqualified from driving for 14 years in May 2023. The court heard Bovey was over the drink-drive limit and clocked speeding into the village.

READ MORE: Mosterton: Shane Bovey jailed after fatal crash in Dorset

Following this incident, the parish council has been campaigning for a review of speed restrictions in the area.  

A spokesperson said: "Mosterton Parish Council are pleased to confirm the new speed buffer is expected to be in place from mid May 2024.

"The parish council and the residents of the village have been very proactive in trying to secure speed restrictions in the village. The councillors are grateful for (West Dorset MP) Mr Loder's support on this matter."

Dorset Council has confirmed that speed reduction signs will be put in place entering from the northern side of village. 

A spokesperson from Dorset Council added: "We are currently finalising the legal process to implement the speed reduction.

"Once this has completed in May, the current 60mph speed limit on the A3066 on the northern side of Mosterton will be reduced to 40mph, before the existing 30mph limit starts."

The announcement follows the instalment by Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner of an Auto Speed Watch Camera in Mosterton as part of an initiative to combat speeding in the county.

The camera captures speeding drivers and sends a “no excuse” letter; should the vehicle be detected a second time, there will be a uniformed intervention.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder said: "I’d like to thank Mosterton parish councillors and all those villagers who have championed the road safety cause."