COMPLAINTS have been made over speeding tractors causing a 'menace' in rural villages.

Calls have been made by councillors for speed cameras to be put at hot spots to crackdown on the vehicles speeding across villages in the Ribble Valley.

Cllr Ged Mirfin, who represents Billington, Brockhall and Old Langho on Ribble Valley Council, said several residents have come to him with complaints on the issue.

He pointed out Whalley New Road as a particular hot spot and said he 'would love' to see speed cameras on main roads in and out of the village.

Cllr Mirfin said: "It’s particularly horrific at this time of year with great big agricultural vehicles going like bats out of hell through the centre of the village.

"The speeds these monster machines go is outrageous.

"What concerns me is young children running out into the road or elderly drivers coming in the opposite direction that don’t know the width of their own car.

"This is a serious problem that will end up with somebody seriously injured or killed by young kids driving huge tractors.

"I would love to see a whole series of photographic speed cameras with number plate recognition on the main road through Billington."

Whalley New Road has a 30mph speed limits but claims have been made tractors are often spotted going up to 50mph.

Cars are also often parked up along the road which has caused concerns amongst residents.

Cllr Mirfin said with access to St. Leonard’s Primary School and St Augustine’s RC High School both off a short distance off Whalley New Road the area is 'an accident waiting to happen'.

Laws state tractors weighing more than 7.5 tonnes can travel at 40mph on a single track road and at 50mph if they weigh less than 7.5 tonnes.

He said the tractors spotted speeding are newer generation 'super tractors' more suited to American farming environments.

He said: "They can travel at more than 30mph even with trailers attached but they cannot stop like a car or normal sized tractor.

"Residents have reported witnessing numerous near misses when tractor drivers have hit the brakes and end up on the pavement to avoid hitting pedestrians or oncoming traffic.

"The problem is thus far no vehicles had been stopped for speeding. That’s because they are not deterred by the presence of speed cameras.”