SPEEDERS breaking the limit have been targeted by concerned members of the community.

Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell joined Speed Watch volunteers to clamp down on drivers breaking the law at a roadside session in Broughton.

The session took place almost a year after the speed limit was reduced in the town from 30mph down to 20mph.

The group claim that although most motorists do observe the lower limit, there are still significant numbers who speed through the town.

During Wednesday’s brief meeting, nine motorists were caught breaking the speed limit – with one recorded as going at 33mph.

“And that was with us stood there in high visibility jackets and a speed camera,” said Speed Watch coordinator Annette Carmichael.

“On a typical morning we would probably get between 17 to 20 vehicles in a 45 minute period going in excess of 24mph.”

Mr Fell was invited to observe first-hand the potential danger that reckless drivers are causing residents, including parents and children who are walking to and from Broughton-in-Furness CE Primary School.

Pupils at the school have also been involved with the campaign, designing road safety banners and posters in a competition organised by PCSO Harris which have been displayed on the roadside to remind motorists to slow down.

Mr Fell took a turn using a laser speed gun to capture the speed of vehicles and details of those breaking the limit were logged by Speed Watchers Anne Anderson and Nigel Gilligan to pass onto Cumbria Police.

Vehicle owners receive a police warning letter and further action is taken against repeat offenders.

The longstanding issue with speeders is thought to stem from people using Broughton as a short cut when driving along the A595.

Broughton Speed Watch Group will be taking part in the National Speed Operation running October 17-30 when Cumbria Police and speed watch groups throughout the county will be targeting speeding drivers as part of a two-week national enforcement campaign.

Annette Carmichael said: “It went really well but we’d rather not to have to run Speed Watch sessions.

“Our campaign is to really remind drivers to slow down and think would they like their child to be nervous walking to school or their elderly parents anxious to be going to the shops.

“We’d like to ask drivers to consider not coming to Broughton if not stopping or to observe the speed limit when they come through.”

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