A call for action has been made before ‘somebody actually gets killed’ on a village’s roads that have become a ‘rat run’ for traffic.
Sutton Bridge parish councillor Ray Perkins has raised concerns about Bridge Road after two collisions happened in that area on the same day. The first was between Little Sutton and Sutton Bridge and the second was outside the Greyhound pub in Sutton Bridge.
Coun Perkins has highlighted some of the issues faced by drivers and pedestrians in Sutton Bridge such as access for emergency services and near misses – and has suggested that cameras be introduced.
He said: “People have been run over and cars totally written off. Others have lost wing mirrors - it needs something to be done about it before somebody actually gets killed.”
“It is a complete rat run through here as they are speeding from Long Sutton. It is a national speed limit, then 40 then 30.”
Coun Perkins has called for a member of the Highways department at Lincolnshire County Council to come to Sutton Bridge to see the area and speak to villagers.
He said: “It wants somebody to come down and work it out. The Highways department should come down and have a look and meet the residents to ask their opinions about it.
“There's been quite a few accidents on Bridge Road - even parked cars have been written off.
“The volume of the traffic coming through the bridge has increased - drivers use it as a bypass and we can't always get emergency services down here, residents can't get out to use doctors. It's been going on for years.”
Coun Perkins said: “I would never forgive myself if a child got killed. We need a proper speed camera.”
He added that when the bridge is closed it can have an adverse effect on traffic coming through the village – including more lorries looking for an alternative route. “When the bridge is shut it snarls up the village.
“The island heading past the chip shop on the way to the Curlew Centre is totally demolished. If anyone was standing there they would not stand a prayer.”
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership says it will continue to call on motorists to drive with care through Sutton Bridge.
Simon Outen-Coe, from the Partnership, said: “Concerning the two recent road traffic collisions, both remain under investigation, but the second in Sutton Bridge does not appear to be speed related at this time.
“I have looked at the history of collisions in the area that we have recorded and mainly they do not support any conclusion that they are speed related.
“There are also a couple of mobile speed enforcement sites in the locality which are regularly attended, with a number of enforcement visits carried out in January.
“This activity will continue in the area and we will continue to promote the need for local drivers to drive with care, regardless of their familiarity with the area so that they are prepared to respond to any unforeseen circumstances, such as the emergence of wildlife into the carriageway.”
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire County Council said: “We continue to openly welcome any suggestions on how to improve local traffic issues. Residents and businesses tend to know their area better than most and we value that information very highly.
“If they have any ideas to help resolve issues then the best way to address them is to go to the local county councillor who can bring those ideas to us for assessment and scrutiny.
“This has resulted in many speed limits being changed across the county already and is a proven route for effective measures, where applicable.”
