RESIDENTS in Kilmington will no longer gather around their war memorial in remembrance as they have done for over 100 years.

After this year's Remembrance Day memorial service the Parish Council and The Royal British Legion, Kilmington Branch, have been forced to end all future services at the village memorial, which is located close to the A35.

Commander (Rtd) Stafford Seward OBE RN said: “We have concluded that it is just not safe, or practical, to hold our Remembrance Service close to a 50mph highway. The increasing number of cars and heavy goods vehicles speeding by has increased safety concerns. Around 150 residents with children come to pay their respects each year and now they even struggle to hear the service over road noise. It is sad as the memorial was erected and dedicated in 1921, and some have visited it throughout their lives.”

Council Chairman, Peter Ball added, “We are now having to consider erecting another memorial. The very busy 50mph A35 literally cuts Kilmington in half. Traffic gets worse, and at times it is almost impossible to safely cross. We have no pedestrian crossing, so getting to the bus or village shop is a nightmare, particularly for the elderly. Years of negotiations with National Highways have given us nothing.”