Residents 'frightened' by 'atrocious' speeding

A petition signed by 135 villagers calls for a speed limit change in Barnoldby le Beck

People living in a North East Lincolnshire village say they are “frightened” by “atrocious” speeding drivers.

Residents of Barnoldby le Beck have called for measures to lower the speed limit to improve the safety of pedestrians.

Three years ago, council plans to reduce the speed limit on Waltham Road between Barnoldby le Beck and Waltham were dropped.

However, a new petition signed by 135 villagers calling for a speed limit change is to be considered by North East Lincolnshire Council.

'Atrocious'

Jackie Meenaghan and her husband John have lived in the village for 25 years and have raised concerns about speeding with the parish council on several occasions.

“It’s atrocious and we need to stop that," Mrs Meenaghan said.

“People are stopping coming because they’re too frightened. The villagers are frightened, the visitors are frightened, the dogs are frightened.

“We’ve got a resident who’s had a car twice in their front room."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the section of concern is on the Waltham side of Barnoldby where the speed limit increases from 30mph to 60mph on a bend.

There is a footpath to Waltham next to the road, but no barriers separating it from vehicle traffic.

“What I’d like to see happen is to reduce the speed,” Mrs Meenaghan told a council meeting.

“I’m here to ask you to think seriously about this, because we’re living in a trap where an accident will happen and there will be a death. I know it will happen."

'Ludicrous'

Councillor David Hasthorpe, who backed the petition, said: “It seems ludicrous to me that three years ago we were having the same conversation."

A council report in November 2021 recommended a speed limit drop, but it was overturned by portfolio holder for housing, infrastructure and transport Councillor Stewart Swinburn, who felt a reduction would be confusing for motorists on a straight road with no history of accidents.

“I beg you to reconsider your previous decision, and let’s have this speed limit once and for all," Mr Hasthorpe said.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.