This is one of Dorchester's roads where traffic speeds are most likely to be exceeded.

Surveys suggest that much of the traffic is travelling at an average of 35mph – 5mph above the limit – and some as fast as 50mph.

Middle Farm Way at Poundbury could now soon have a speed indicator device – if Dorset Council can find the cost of a post to put it on.

The electronic device, known as a SID, flashes up the speed in red, if over the limit, or a cheery 'Thank You' if under 30mph. Studies have shown they do have an effect in reducing overall speeds.

The Duchy estate road is said to frequently have drivers travelling at 40 or even 50mph, according to ward councillors – with around 85 per cent of all traffic at an average 35mph.

Dorset Council has asked Dorchester Town Council if one of the SID devices it owns, could be put up on the road, moving it from Alington Avenue, near Thomas Hardy's Max Gate home, where the majority of drivers are said to be within the speed limit, most of the time.

Town councillors have agreed the move, providing the larger council pays for the cost of a new post to mount it on, and decides where it should be best placed for maximum effect. The SID device will first be switched to Bridport Road for a few weeks while the new post and its position are agreed.

Ward councillor Richard Biggs said residents are keen to see traffic speeds reduced on the road. He said the problem is that it has good visibility and is wide, encouraging drivers with less discipline to put their foot down. The road had originally been proposed as a 40mph zone, a move which the town council had objected to, persuading the highways team to make it a 30mph limit. The thinking at the time was that if set at 40mph, many drivers would be at 50mph or above, while set at 30mph they might stay under 40mph.

"It's a bit of a race track, people do put their foot down and some are probably doing 45-50mph, so we should support this," Cllr Biggs told a meeting of the town council's planning and environment committee.

Cllr Susie Hosford supported the move saying the speed of traffic on the road was a big issue for residents who wanted to cross, often to enjoy walks in the adjoining countryside towards Maiden Castle.