A 50mph speed limit has been introduced on the Sheppey Crossing - after police called for the move at an inquest into a mother and son's deaths.

Highways England was asked to consider urgent safety measures on the bridge, which is the main link between the M2 at Stockbury and Sheerness.

It follows the deaths of mum Deborah Roberts and son Marshall, in a crash last year.

The 42-year-old mum, of Granville Road, Sheerness, and her eight-year-old son were killed in a collision on the bridge on July 1.

Now Deborah's sister, Emma Tweed, has welcomed the news, but pressed for more to be done.

A police report to their inquest recommended the speed limit on the bridge was changed from 70mph to 50mph.

Coroner Patricia Harding decided to put back the full inquest until a later date, in light of the fact the family are seeking legal representation.

She ruled that the scope of the later inquest would include the cause of death of both Deborah and Marshall Roberts and the events leading up to the collision.

It was also decided matters to be taken into consideration will include the design of the bridge, the speed limit, the visibility as drivers are heading off the Island and braking distance.

A Highways England spokesperson said: "Safety is Highways England’s top priority.

"We are fully supporting the inquest into the tragic incident that happened on the Sheppey Crossing last July.

"The Coroner in the pre-inquest hearing has recommended urgent action.

"In the interim, before the full inquest has taken place, Highways England has taken the decision to introduce a temporary speed limit on the basis that we need to assess whether such a measure would improve safety.

"Our objective is ensuring safe and reliable journeys on the A249 and the Sheppey Crossing for the 30,000 drivers who depend on it every day."

The 50mph speed limit is in place in both directions on the A249 between its junction with the B2005 at Grovehurst Rd and the Neats Court Roundabout near Thomsett Way.

It will be carefully assessed to monitor its effect on road safety and Highways England will continue to keep the safety performance of the A249 under constant review.

Emma Tweed, Deborah Roberts' sister and aunt to Marshall, said: "It's good but I also feel that something else needs to be done to enforce drivers to stick to the 50mph limit.

"There needs to be average speed cameras because otherwise drivers won't stick to it when they don't stick to the 70 mph limit now.

“This is not the silver bullet that is going to solve all our problems.” - Gordon Henderson MP

"I'm happy but something else needs to be done. This is something that should have been done when there was that multi-car pile-up in the fog."

She has been campaigning for changes to the speed limit.

MP Gordon Henderson, who has been campaigning for road safety improvements on the bridge, cautiously welcomed the move, but warned: “This is not the silver bullet that is going to solve all our problems.”

He also admitted he was anticipating a backlash from motorists to the new speed limit.

He said: “To be honest I am not entirely convinced that reducing the speed limit to 50mph is going to achieve much.

“I would have thought that in the first instance what we should have been doing is ensuring the current 70mph speed limit is obeyed, which it’s not at the moment.

“The police have advised that the speed limit should be 50mph, I know the local authorities want the speed limit dropped, so I am more than happy to go along with that but I do think it is just one part of a long-term solution.

“That long-term solution I am absolutely convinced needs to include CCTV cameras to monitor problems on the bridge, proper matrix signing to make people aware of potential problems, some form of refuge bays on the bridge so that if someone breaks down there is somewhere for them to escape to and also mechanisms are in place to ensure the bridge is closed as quickly as possible when there is an incident.”

Mr Henderson said, although no one died, the impact of the 150-vehicle Sheppey Crossing crash in September 2013 was still being felt in the community.

“There are 30,000 vehicles crossing that bridge on a daily basis," he said.

“That’s why Highways England have a responsibility and a duty to ensure the highest standards of safety on that bridge.

“This is only a temporary measure they have introduced to see if that will have an effect.”

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