Calls for crackdown after thousands speed on road

There are calls for a crackdown on speeding in Cheltenham after more than 6,000 vehicles were clocked travelling at more than 40mph (64km/h) in a 30mph (48km/h) zone in a week.

Official speed recording on the B4632 Southam Road, north of Mill Street in Prestbury over seven days in March captured 72,899 vehicle tripping over the limit.

Statistics showed of those vehicles, 87 were recorded at speeds above 55mph between 15 March and 21 March.

One local resident said the data was "deeply concerning" while police said regular checks were being made on the road.

Some 18,265 vehicles were travelling at speeds between 35mph and 40mph, 4,891 were recorded at speeds between 40mph and 45mph, while 933 were clocked at speeds between 45mph and 50mph.

There were also 187 vehicles which travelled at speeds of between 50mph to 55mph and 87 recorded at speeds above 55mph.

Local resident Richard Lawler was concerned about speeding and has called for more action to tackle the problem.

"The data collected is deeply concerning," he said.

He added it was a "serious public safety issue that cannot be ignored".

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it regularly conducted speed checks across the county and had visited the Southam Road with Mill Lane junction eight times so far this year.

During those visits they had caught more than 180 people speeding.

"Gloucestershire Constabulary is committed to keeping people safe on the roads and takes appropriate action against those who put others at risk by driving at excessive speeds or in an otherwise dangerous manner," a police spokesperson said.

"Speeding is one of the fatal four causes of road deaths and injury in the county, along with using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving.

"Our Camera Enforcement Team regularly conducts speed checks across the county, including on the B4632 at the Mill Lane junction."

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