Call for speed action

Urgent action needs to be taken to clamp down on speeding drivers taking a short cut into Whitchurch town centre before someone is seriously injured or killed, a councillor today warned.

Drivers are speeding down Pepper Street to get onto High Street, putting the lives of people walking along both streets at risk, it is claimed.

Councillor Rob Hewson said the only thing to stop drivers in their tracks and prevent an accident would be for bollards to be put up at the end of Pepper Street to stop cars getting through to High Street.

He said that instead motorists should get on to High Street via Green End.

Councillor Hewson said a sign banning cars and motorbikes from entering High Street from Pepper Street was clearly visible but drivers continually flouted it and cut through.

"I think it's just a dangerous act and I personally think nothing will ever get done until somebody does get hurt or even killed.

"I have spoken to Shropshire Council twice and they are supposed to meet me on site but while we wait somebody could still get killed and I would like urgent action before something does happen," he said.

Councillor Hewson said he had been forced to jump out of the way when a car came "whizzing" down Pepper Street onto High Street.

"Cars are going down there and going straight onto High Street and I am asking Shropshire Council to put bollards at the end so they can't do it," he said.

"Because there is nothing there to stop them, cars are still going down there and using it as a right of way."

Laura Owen, spokeswoman for Shropshire Council, said the authority would look into the issue and it would be discussed with the local member.