RESIDENTS are campaigning to have a speed indicator removed after seeing young drivers notching speeds of up to 80mph in a 20mph zone.

A petition, signed by more than 50 residents, was collected by Carol Coker, 49, a resident of Manxman Close, Blackburn.

The grandmother-of-five said: “I am very concerned about the speeding cars near to the Spar shop.

“It’s supposed to be a 20mph zone, but nobody takes any notice. We have seen young drivers clocking up speeds of nearly 80mph, especially at night.

“It’s like a game for them – to see who can get the highest speed. It’s only going to be a matter of time until someone is hit by a speeding car.

“We would like to have chevrons introduced and the speed indicator removed at the top of Manxman Road.

“The final straw was when my granddaughter was nearly hit by a speeding motorist as I tried to get her into my car.

“I went round for two hours collecting signatures from people up and down the street and nobody objected to signing it.

“The residents I spoke to said speeding cars had ended up in people’s gardens on the bends and drive over the grass and do handbrake turns.”

The petition will be presented to Higher Croft ward councillor, Andy Kay, at the Highercroft Tenants and Residents Base at 10.30am on Thursday.

Coun Kay said speeding motorists had been brought to his attention on numerous occasions along this particular road.

“I have received complaints and we have raised these with the police traffic division, who have monitored the road now and again.

“It is a very thin, very busy road where children frequently play. The speed indicators are followed by 99 per cent of drivers, it’s just the odd idiot that abuses the system.

“It has possibly gone beyond its usefulness.

“The speeds are unacceptable and I have witnessed them myself.

“The 20mph limit is in force for a reason.”