Campaigners: Tackle Halesowen 'rat run' speeding or people could die
A campaign has been launched to tackle speeding on a Halesowen ‘rat run’ – with fears people could be killed if measures aren’t taken.
Drivers are flouting the 30mph speed limit on Halesowen’s Lutley Lane, where a nursery is based.
Councillor Andrea Goddard wants to install speed bumps along there to curb speeding.
She said: “”I believe there could be a fatality. People are using the road as a rat run.
“What concerns me is there is a nursery on the road. I’m worried a small child could be hit by a car.
“The speeding is dreadful. Residents have raised concerns with me and some have reported accidents.”
Councillor Goddard, who represents Hayley Green and Cradley South ward, wants to see ‘wires’ placed on the road to monitor speeding monitored.
She says speeding has been going on for a number of years but feels it has got worse over time.
She is proposing speed bumps could be installed to stop motorists breaking the law, but admitted it is a ‘difficult’ task.
“It is about trying to please everyone,” she said. “Although I want to please everybody I think people’s safety is important.”
A consultation with residents would be held before any safety action is taken, she added.
Melissa Rexworthy, who runs Tiger Lily Day Nursery on Lutley Lane, said: “Speeding is absolutely horrendous.
“The traffic and speed drivers come up and down the lane is getting so bad. Drivers are not speeding at 40mph, but at 60mph and 70mph. It is an accident waiting to happen.”
Lutley Lane has a 30mph speed limit along some of the road, where it is pedestrianised, before leading onto the national speed limit, which is 60mph on a single road.
Speeding was also highlighted by fellow ward councillor Jeff Hill, who said HGV’s ‘race down’ Lutley Lane.
“Speeding is problem and there are a number of issues,” he said.
“The size of vehicles is another. Although the road has a weight restriction, it is does get ignored and the road is unsuitable, with HGV’s racing down there.”
Lutley Lane takes traffic between Hayley Green and Stourbridge.
Councillor Jeff Hill said another road where motorists speed is Portsdown Road. “People are often driving up and down there at ridiculous speed,” he said.
“I have raised this with the council and they will be doing a traffic survey.”
