Board members were concerned a change might lead to motorists continuing to ignore the posted speed limit and lead to future requests from other residents. In a door-to-door survey of 71 residents around the Ashland Meadows subdivision, 60 favored an increase, according to Warrenton Police Chief Davis Bernard. The remaining 11 wanted the speed limit to stay at 20 mph. In addition, a weeklong traffic study conducted by Bernard found that the average speed of motorists on the road was 30 mph. No action was taken Tuesday night as aldermen declined to approve the request. "I don't think it's a good idea to raise it just for the mere fact that I don't think people will slow down when they get to Eric Hill," said Ward 2 Alderman Beth Kendall, who lives in Ashland Meadows. "People also walk frequently. "I don't think they will slow down," she said. "I think you give them 30, they're going to go 40." Early last month, Christine Wait, an Ash Road resident, requested the city raise the speed limit to 30 mph along about three-tenths of a mile stretch beginning at the Highway 47 intersection and ending at the entrance to Ashland Meadows subdivision. The portion in question does not have sidewalks forcing residents to walk on the street. Bernard said the traffic study was conducted during a seven-day period ending July 4. He reported that out of the 5,449 vehicles that crossed the traffic counter, 96.42 percent exceeded the current 20 mph limit. Of those, 41 percent traveled between 25-31 mph and 32 percent drove 31-37 mph. Only 14 percent traveled between 19-25 mph, Bernard said. The remaining 13 percent were not included in the traffic study. The average speed during the week was 30 mph, according to Bernard. Mayor Greg Costello and Ward 1 Alderman Phil Tallo also said a 20 mph limit seems rather slow. Tallo, however, said he wasn't in favor of raising the speed limit nor were Aldermen Jerry Cullom (Ward 1) and Fred Flake (Ward 2). When Wait made the request to aldermen June 8, two other residents from the area objected to the idea. Kendall mentioned Tuesday night that speeding was already an issue on Ash Road. "Whether it be 20 or 55, you have to drive the speed limit," she said. Jim Dreyer, Ward 3, was the only alderman to voice his support for the increase at Tuesday's meeting. "I'm tired of driving 20 mph everywhere," he remarked. Cullom said she has been approached by residents of two other subdivisions who indicated they wanted to see the speed limit around them also increased if the Ash Road request was approved. Flake said the board turned down a similar request a few years ago on Pinckney Street. "If we do that area, there will be other areas in town that want the same thing," Flake said.