Calls to stop speeders who 'bomb' past school and shops using road as rat run
Residents are calling for action to stop their road being used as a rat run by speeding cars.
People living in Howley Grange Road say it is regularly used a as a cut through to get to Bartley Green and there has an increase in traffic in recent years.
There has also been a spate of crashes raising concerns because the road is also home to Howley Grange Primary School, which has around 300 pupils.
Residents are now urging the council to consider new road safety measures to be put in place in order to reduce traffic and speeding in the area as part of the Safer Routes to School Programme.
It comes after Dudley Council have put safety measures in place on nearby Priory Road, which residents say has less traffic.
The council today said it was considering options for the road including the possiblity of a 20mph speed limit.
Jenny Clulow, who lives in Howley Grange Road , said: "This road is really considered a main road, as drivers use it as a cut through to get to Bartley Green. We've also seen increased congestion and cars bombing it down due Howley Grange Road having a doctors and a number of shops.
"I am very upset and angry that Priory Road, which is a small, narrow road has had so much done recently to slow the traffic down, including making it one way and also 20mph.
"Howley Grange Road, which is wider, has a bigger school and is around 10 times longer. "We believe it needs something very similar, such as an pedestrian crossing for example, as just in the last two weeks we have had a serious accident outside the house.
"Traffic had to be diverted for around three hours while the cars were removed. This could easily be any one of us on any given day, it is like dicing with death."
Howley Grange Wasps, a before and after school club, is also concerned and has called the speed of the cars coming down the road as 'despicable', as they have to help around 30 youngsters cross the road twice a day.
Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "I'm pleased to see residents and parents taking such a passionate approach to safety on our streets. We will be looking at the potential for a 20mph zone and other safety measures near to Howley Grange Primary School as part of a future Safer Routes to School programme. All schools across the whole borough have been prioritised and officers are working to introduce the schemes as quickly as possible."
