Campaign to reduce fast cars near school
Hemsworth resident Robert Butterfield and other residents fears a child may be hurt or killed if speed limit outside his home is not reduced to 20mph
WORRIED Hemsworth residents who live near a school are joining forces to get a reduction on the speed limit near their homes.
Robert Butterfield, of Grove Lane, said the speed on the road outside his home, close to Grove Lea Primary School, should be reduced from 30mph to 20mph.
Mr Butterfield, 71, said traffic heading into Hemsworth cut down Grove Lane, Thomas Street and Victoria Street to avoid traffic - and that cars regularly sped in the area.
The grandfather-of-three said: “I see them come down here at such speeds, it’s frightening.
“There is a park opposite my house and would like to let my grandchildren play there but I am just too worried because of the speed cars drive down that road.”
“There is a school close by and I just worry one day one of the children will be injured or killed, and I don’t want it to come to that.”
He contacted the council and said he was told the speed could not be reduced until there was a fatality.
He said: “That is just disgusting, how much would a sign cost to put up? It’s ridiculous and very dangerous.”
Speed bumps were installed last year.
Mr Butterfield said: “The speed bumps don’t do anything - you can hardly feel them when you drive over them. They aren’t working to slow down vehicles.”
Richard Conteau from speed awareness charity Brake said he supported the campaign to reduce speed outside of schools to 20mph, as it takes a car twice as long to stop if travelling at 30mph.
Keith Bloomfield, service manager for traffic and transportation for Wakefield Council said: “This road already has traffic calming measures in place which have helped to achieve its excellent safety record in recent years.
“However, we are never complacent when it comes to road safety and will be looking into the concerns Mr Butterfield has raised with us.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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