Child will die unless motorists slow down on road, mums fear
MUMS fear a child could be killed if motorists continue to speed along a Derby road.
Mother-of-four Shelley Hancock says motorists drive at up to 90mph along Cheviot Street in Mackworth.
A child and a dog have already been struck by cars, while several vehicles have careered into neighbours' front gardens, she said.
But, despite attempts by Derby City Council to slow traffic, she said crashes were still taking place.
The 31-year-old said: "We've had years of torment down here and nothing seems to get done. Drivers have no respect for people who live in the street.
"We're all getting fairly sick and tired of it. I've seen people doing 90mph – it's supposed to be 30mph, it's a residential area.
"In the latest crash last week, a car went straight into a garden, smashing a fence and taking out a hedge. We've had three cars written off. We need speed bumps or barriers."
Her concerns were echoed by others in Cheviot Street.
Mother-of-three Susan Cook, 29, said: "I do not let my children out of the house unless I am with them.
"It's such a long stretch of road, as it joins Slack Street. If anything, the problem is getting worse."
The Derby Telegraph previously revealed there had been 70 collisions in six years along Manor Road in Derby.
One couple, who had seven cars parked in their driveway written off, said they wanted to move because of it.
City councillor Lisa Higginbottom, chairman of the Mackworth Neighbourhood Board, said work was being carried out to try to make Cheviot Street safer.
A community speed watch scheme, in which residents record how fast cars are travelling, has been set up.
The council is also moving its new electronic signs, which flash warnings to motorists about their speed, into the area later this year. Resurfacing work is planned, too.
But Paul Pegg, chairman of the Mackworth Estates Community Association, said residents were "blowing the issue out of proportion".
He said: "If you can do 90mph down there, you're welcome to it. There's no way cars are going that fast.
"Things are happening all the time. Speed monitors have been down there and, because I'm on the board, I get all the figures. I do not think it's a big problem."
8 Comments
by briscan
Monday, June 13 2011, 4:12PM
“Maybe I should have pointed out that you regularly get cars (esp. during rush hour times) travelling well over the speed limit. 40 isn't uncommon. You can tell, because when you're driving along at the right speed, you get people racing up behind you. It's because the road is a good rat-run to avoid the A52/Markeaton Island when it's busy.”
by Beaurepaire
Monday, June 13 2011, 4:00PM
“So the 90mph cars are after closing time at weekends; now I'm not condoning that, but if the parents are worried about their kids being knocked down by those cars, perhaps they should be thinking about what their kids are doing roaming the street at those sorts of hours. After all if the kids are at home, so that their parents know what they are, then half of the problem has disappeared.”
by briscan
Monday, June 13 2011, 1:51PM
“I live on Cheviot St and the 90mph speed quoted above is not an exaggeration. However it's at night during the weekends when this has happened. Pretty much when the pubs and clubs have emptied and people are staggering home. Pretty much a tragedy waiting to happen.
Also, the crash that happened was much more than a week ago! Either this quote has been hanging around waiting to be published for a while, or someone has a bad memory.”
by sapopt
Monday, June 13 2011, 1:44PM
“I guess if Resurfacing work is expected in the area,the council could comment,if at the same time speed bumps are going to located in the street in question, and simply inform all concerned of the exact date ,so the residents have peace of mind.”
by msmizzo
Monday, June 13 2011, 1:34PM
“Why the reference to Manor Rd ? Manor Rd isn't in the area.
Also Cheviot is in Morley Estate, not Mackworth.
The worst part of the road is at the top, at the bend. Its a blind bend and the residents park all around it, meaning cars have to cross onto the wrong side, without being able to see oncoming traffic. Its no wonder the cars are being damaged. They have long gardens, why don't they house their cars.”
by JediMaster82
Monday, June 13 2011, 10:41AM
“Given the volume of traffic on occasion, the narrow parts of Slack Lane from the railway bridge end to Cheviot street made worse by parked cars and roads feeding into it, as well as Magfern being located there, buses passing through.... doesn't matter how fast people THINK the cars are going. It is a dangerous road.”
by DerbyBorn
Monday, June 13 2011, 9:53AM
“(Perhaps not 7 all at once!) I suggest the street could be an alternative to going to watch Dragster Racing if cars are able to get up to 90mph in such a short distance. Perhaps a Saxo or Corsa in second gear at 30 can sound fast.”
by DJ__2011
Monday, June 13 2011, 9:14AM
“"7 cars parked on the drive"? That sounds like a business, I bet the tax man is snooping round already.”