HEADTEACHERS are delighted the speed limit of a dangerous road crossed by dozens of schoolchildren every day is set to be reduced.

Council chiefs in Fareham are expected to give the final go-ahead for the 30mph zone to be extended along Warsash Road in Locks Heath tonight.

Although the limit is already in place outside Locks Heath Infant and Junior Schools the road turns into a 40mph zone further down where many pupils cross.

The new limit will cover the stretch of road just past Locks Heath Park Road as far as Abshot Road.

Jim Lambert, headteacher of Locks Heath Junior School, said cars easily picked up speed along the road even as they approached the 30mph area outside the school.

"We are very pleased the 30mph speed limit looks as if it is going to be extended. Anything that reduces the speed of cars is a good thing.

"Many of the children walk further up Warsash Road before they cross the road. It's very dangerous - especially at the end of the school day."

The latest road safety measure comes two years after the school got a pelican crossing and special road colouring markings outside its entrance alerting drivers to slow down.

Catherine Butcher, headteacher of neighbouring Locks Heath Infant School, said she too was glad the 30mph limit was going to cover the full stretch of Warsash Road.

Meanwhile an extensive traffic calming scheme in the area is nearing completion.

A mini-roundabout is being built at the dangerous junction between Abshot Road, Little Abshot Road and Warsash Road.

A second mini-roundabout and speed cushions have already gone up at the junction of Abshot Road and Hunts Pond Road.

Road safety campaigners hope this will make the journey safer for children walking to St John the Baptist C of E Primary School.

The traffic calming measures have been more than four years in the pipeline.

They have come to fruition thanks to a £55,000 contribution from developers who have built homes in the area over the past few years.