RESIDENTS are being urged to support a campaign aimed at putting the brakes on drivers speeding through a village ‘at ridiculous speeds’.

The call comes from Cllr Charlotte Leach, who has launched a petition aimed at tackling speeding in Town Lane, Mobberley.

The petition calls for a cut in the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph, and is backed by Mobberley dad Gareth Norbury, whose son Charlie was injured when he was hit by a car as he crossed Town Lane.

Charlie, 11, a pupil at Knutsford Academy, suffered a cut above his eye, and there is no suggestion the driver was speeding.

However Gareth says drivers regularly ‘zoom down the road at ridiculous speeds’, and is backing Charlotte’s call for a cut in the Town Lane speed limit.

Charlotte said the ePetition on the Cheshire East website, was seeking the cut because of serious concerns in the village about unsafe speeds near homes and businesses.

The petition states: “There is a collective will in the village, due to road safety concerns, to change the culture of speeding in the village.” The petition runs until January 20.

Charlotte said: “Prior to my election in May many residents told me about their concerns about speeding on Town Lane, something I promised I would take action on when I took office.

“Mr Norbury contacted me when his son was hit when getting off the school bus in October, and I was very relieved to hear Charlie wasn’t seriously hurt.

Knutsford Guardian:

The facial injury Charlie suffered in October

“I made a commitment to Mr Norbury that tackling speeding on Town Lane would be a priority and that I would launch a petition to have the speed limit lowered to 20mph.

“Town Lane is a long, straight road, and drivers often speed through the village above the 30mph limit.

“I don’t think 20mph is unreasonable in the centre of the village, where there are many properties and businesses near the road.

“I have looked into all options, including traffic calming measures and speed cameras, and a speed limit reduction looks the most achievable option.

“At the very least I want to ensure we raise awareness of speeding in the village and encourage a culture change so anyone driving through Mobberley knows they need to slow down.

“I will continue to work closely with Cheshire East Council and the police until we can reach a solution.”

Charlie was injured as he got off the bus coming home from school.

Gareth said: “He crossed the road in front of the bus and hadn't noticed a car overtaking the bus.

“He was very lucky as the car was going so slowly, which meant it was just a glancing blow to his eye and he fell backwards into the road.

“People constantly zoom down the road at ridiculous speeds. Lots of local children get on and off the bus there, as well as younger children with their parents going over to Ilfords, and it’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

“As well as a 20 limit there needs to be other measures to ensure the speed limit is adhered to; ideally some kind of average speed camera or other traffic calming measures.

“There should also be signs to remind drivers there are children getting off buses and crossing the road.

“Charlie wanted to get in touch with Charlotte to start a campaign as he doesn't want anyone else getting hit there.”

Charlie said: "I want to reduce the speed limit because I'm lucky my accident wasn't serious, but that's only because of the speed the car was going."