Kate ScotterFamilies who are campaigning for measures to slow down traffic through their village say it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.But they remain divided over how best the problem can be resolved.Kate Scotter

Families who are campaigning for measures to slow down traffic through their village say it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

But they remain divided over how best the problem can be resolved.

A series of crashes have happened in The Street, Taverham, over the past six months.

Last year, Lucy Holman's car was written off after it was hit by a van and just last week the mother-of-two awoke to find a vehicle had crashed into a tree near her property, leaving behind a pile of debris.

The speed limit on the road was reduced to 20mph in 2008 but people living in the village have said more measures are needed to slow the traffic down - but they cannot agree what these should be.

Statistically, there have not been enough accidents for the stretch of road to be a high priority for Norfolk County Council but it is believed if the villagers come together then they will be able to mount pressure on the authority.

Ms Holman, who has two children aged under three, said: 'People speed through here continuously. Something really needs to be done to slow the traffic down before someone gets killed.

'There are elderly people here and I've got two young children and it's a real worry. Cars crashing into the front of our houses are becoming more frequent.'

A survey has been carried out by people living in the village and a third showed some support for pinch points to slow traffic down.

Other ideas have included speed humps and putting paths in front of the houses as there are currently no footways.

Taverham Parish Council is also working with the police to set up a Community Speed Watch Scheme.

Stuart Clancy, county councillor for the village, said: 'It's a bit of a catch-22 because the county council uses accident statistics which doesn't support any measures yet we know it's without doubt an ongoing problem.

'Another problem is getting a strong consensus of what can be done from residents. We need residents to agree on a solution.'

A County Hall spokesman said: 'We have tried to limit the speed of traffic using a 20 mph zone and a speed reactive sign at a cost of almost �70,000 but, with limited resources, we need to concentrate our efforts at known accident sites.

'The Street does not fit into that category, with no injury accidents reported in the last five years. However, we have agreed to carry out a traffic survey to measure level of compliance.'

Are you trying to cut speed in the area where you live? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk