Police say they will work with concerned parties

Transport 2000 wants drivers caught at those high speeds to face court.

The group says the guidelines are illegal, and it is to challenge Norfolk chief constable, and head of ACPO's traffic committee, Ken Williams, in the High Court.

Assistant director Lynn Sloman said government research showed someone hit by a car at 35mph was more than twice as likely to be killed as someone hit at 30mph.

"We believe this edging up of the speed limit set by parliament will mean more people killed and seriously hurt on the roads," she said.

"We are particularly concerned about child safety - nearly 100 children are killed or badly injured every week."

Their action has won the backing of relatives of some of those killed in traffic accidents, including Brigitte Chaudhry, whose son Mansoor died after being hit by a car doing 35mph.

She said police had told her the driver involved was "careless" rather than reckless.

She said: "We know that at 20mph only 5% of people will die, while at 40mph 85% will die.

Action defended

"We know that practicalities have probably dictated this policy but we want the message that speeding is costing lives to be clear to the driving public."

Mr Williams said ACPO would talk to campaigners about their concerns but would be defending the guidelines in court.

"My association is committed to a strategy of contributing to the reduction of deaths and injury on the road through partnership with all those who share a common goal," he said.

"We will therefore be defending this action but in the meantime I will continue to maintain a constructive dialogue with Transport 2000 with a view to resolving the differences between our two organisations."

The High Court granted permission for a judicial review of the Speed Enforcement Policy, issued by ACPO in February, on Wednesday.

Transport 2000 must signify their intention to take further legal action within two weeks of the ruling but campaigners say they will also be talking to ACPO officials in a bid to amend the policy.