Speeding drivers spark safety fears in Costessey

Child safety fears have been raised over the problem of cars speeding down a Costessey 'rat-run' road.

West End is a 20mph zone but has long been the subject of concern. Tim East, Norfolk county councillor for Costessey, said that the problem was four decades old, with a lack of road access across the River Wensum leading to a 'plague of rat runners' down the road and surrounding areas.

He pointed to what he called an 'outrageous' decision made earlier this year by Norfolk County Council to cancel speed calming measures for the area, despite the fact that it had been approved, and that phase one went ahead on nearby roads.

He said that fears over the issue had led to demonstrations in the past, adding: 'After that decision I was stopped in the streets and asked when the speeding problem was going to be solved – what could I say?' Priscilla Crane, deputy head teacher at St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, which is based on the road, told of an incident in which the school's lollipop lady was left in tears after a speeding car broke suddenly in front of her.

Mrs Crane said that though there were a few speed humps down the road, they were not outside the school.

She added that more speed humps would be a solution, with the worry for parents being that other than parked cars 'there's nothing that would really slow them [cars] down.'

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said that �150,000 was spent on the scheme before the second phase was cancelled after its funding was cut.

He added: 'The county council has not lost sight of the importance of such schemes, but progress depends upon funding being found.'

Do you have a Costessey story? Contact reporter John Owens on 01603 772439.