A grandmother has spoken of her fears for her grandchildren's safety over speeding in a 20mph Kingswood road, which she says has led to a number of crashes and abuse from some drivers.
Anne Smith, who lives off Runnymede Lane, a winding residential road at the heart of the estate. said she had seen drivers lose control of their cars in the 20mph zone. Now, she is appealing for speed bumps, more signs and other traffic calming measures,
as well as crossings, to make them safer.
The 69-year-old, along with other residents, have been pushing for more to be done for a number of years. Hull City Council says speeding regulations are in place in Kingswood roads, but they would always work with local people to address any concerns.
"We're not just talking about people doing 24mph, there's people doing 40mph or 50 mph. We've had someone ram into a road sign in Runnymede Lane at 6am in the morning, because they were driving too fast.
"From my kitchen window, I've also seen a car skid and do and 360-degree turn and then just drove off. People here have been bringing these issues up more and more.
"There's nowhere safe for children to cross the road, if they're going to the primary schools of Kingswood Academy there's nowhere safe for them to cross on Runnymede Lane because there's no straight stretches. The pavement has tactile paving for blind
people, but I'd hate to think what would happen if someone who was blind tried to cross that road, thinking it's safe.
"It seems that Runnymede Lane is being used as a main thoroughfare by drivers. With all the incidents and accidents we're having, we feel that enough's enough.
"And the abuse that we get from some of the drivers is appalling. When I've put my hand out to drivers going too fast, I've had effing and blinding, swearing and all sorts.
"One of the cars I tried to signal to slow down to had a lad in who hurled abuse at me as they drove past. It then turned around when it got to the top of the road, drove back and the lad shouted at me again, they did three times."
Anne added: "But it's not just boy racers doing this, it could be anyone. It tends to happen from about 6.30am to 8.30am. Some of the drivers have been women doing the school run.
"I've said to the local councillors that if they don't believe me they can come and stand at my kitchen window and see for myself. We've brought this up several times but we don't feel like we're getting anywhere with it.
"And all this is happening as my grandkids are trying to walk to school. And as I'm trying to cross the road to get back to my house."
Concerns about accidents have also been raised within the wider Kingswood area. Last weekend, a crash was reported in Richmond Way, while earlier this year a car crashed into the corner of a house in the same street.
"Incidents are becoming more and more regular now, we're seeing more posts about it on the Kingswood Facebook group, things are happening most weeks," Anne said.
A council spokesperson said safety works had been done on roads in the area and the authority was aware of concerns about others. The spokesperson said: "The council is aware of issues raised by residents to do with speeding and will always look to take
action to make Hull's roads safer.
"Several areas of Kingswood are subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), making side streets 20mph, and main spine routes 30mph. The council works with developers as new areas of Kingswood are developed to look at new schemes, and before adoption
will complete any TRO required.
"Safety work has been undertaken around the school on School Lane. The council is also aware of concerns being raised on Richmond Lane.
"The council is aware of the need to monitor traffic and speeding issues as Kingswood expands. It will always look to work with residents to address their concerns."
https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/speeding-drivers-making-kingswood-road-8631318?int_source=nba
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