Last updated at 21:20, Thursday, 04 June 2009

ASPATRIA residents have been urged to help stop people speeding through the town before someone is killed.

Young drivers who meet at Brandraw car park and drive fast through the main streets are putting lives at risk, according to police, residents, councillors and business owners.

There is also a more general problem with drivers who use the town as a through road and fail to observe the 30mph speed limit.

Mayor Trevor Gear said: “I would urge anyone who sees someone speeding to contact the police.

“This is a residential area and children or elderly people could be trying to cross the road.

“A young lad was run over in the car park near the gym about three weeks ago and on Saturday a vehicle appears to have run into the back of another vehicle.

“During a mayoral visit to Richmond Hill Primary School, I was amazed that even the children asked that speeding cars be stopped.”

Despite public concern, police said few people had reported incidents of speeding, handbrake turns or ‘doughnuts’ – the practice of spinning the rear of the car around the front wheels to create circular skid marks.

PC Sandra Kilpin-Miller said: “I would encourage people to stand up and be counted in order to make their town safe.

“A phone call to us could ultimately save a life and the chances are that they’ll recognise the vehicle and the driver.

“I want to urge residents to phone the police when they are aware of racing through the town, or vehicles doing handbrake turns or doughnuts.”

A working party to tackle the problem is also being considered by police but it is not yet known who would be involved or what powers it would have.

Martyn Yates-Brown, owner of Brownz Total Fitness, said: “The police have a difficult job and they are not going to be able to deal with it alone.

“It has to be a partnership of residents, businesses, police and councillors.”

Mr Yates-Brown said up to 20 cars at a time gathered at the car park outside his gym with noisy, souped-up exhausts and loud music playing at any time between 5pm and 2am.

The 61-year-old bodybuilder has remonstrated with the youths on more than one occasion.

He said: “The problem is getting worse and until someone is maimed or killed nothing will be done about it and that’s the sad thing.”

A spokesman for Beacon Hill School said noise from traffic disturbed some pupils’ sleep and made crossing the road difficult.

Police said six speeding tickets had been issued to motorists in the past six weeks.

There have also been two arrests for driving offences and numerous verbal warnings have been given.

Police have been using a handheld camera to catch speeding motorists and a camera van has also been in the town.

Mr Yates-Brown said: “I don’t think speed cameras are the answer.

“We should be targeting the activities that are causing a social nuisance.”

He blamed the problem on films, TV programmes and computer games which glorify speeding.

Police are working with traffic management officer Stan Rothery to look at all the options, including speed bumps.

They are looking at long-term solutions, including better lighting and CCTV.

Police have also talked with young drivers, handed out leaflets and warned them that their vehicles could be seized.

HGV drivers have also been identified as possible speeders and warning letters have been sent to local companies.

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 04 June 2009
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk