A councillor who claims her road is plagued by speeding drivers said the location of council-installed speed checks “couldn’t have been in a dafter place”.
The speed indicator cables are fixed on Kirkham Row, on the approach to the junction with Newington Road. Beechwood and Longlands councillor, Joan McTigue, who lives on the 20mph road, pointed out that motorists will naturally slow down at that spot.
“This speed check couldn’t have been in a dafter place – such equipment is needed in the middle of roads where drivers have picked up speed.” she said. “I’ve asked them, ‘are we employing nursery children?’”
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said more surveys will be carried out in the area before potentially taking further action. “We are aware of issues on Kirkham Row and nearby roads and we will be undertaking further surveys in the area to ascertain what action, if any, can be taken to address the problem,” he said.
Cllr McTigue requested the speed check system, claiming people use the surrounding streets like “a race track”. Despite no major accidents on her road, she said there have been several near-misses.
“The cars zoom up and down even though it’s a 20mph road,” she said. “Drivers rarely do less than 40 mph.
“Only last weekend, a driver was racing so fast they lost control and demolished a metal post and sign. A BMW driver nearly knocked me over the other day – they come around the corner like maniacs.”
The spokesman for the council said they will always investigate when concerns over speeding and dangerous driving are raised with the local authority.
