'Our road is being used an illegal rat run by idiots and we're sick of it'

Residents in a small suburban Derby street have come together to fight against the criminal use of their road, which motorists use to undercut less than 400m of traffic at "crazy speeds".

The activists of Kedleston Road range from pensioners to small children, with most just wanting to be able walk, play and back out of their drives without the fear of drivers hurtling along their road at "crazy speeds" into them. Yet despite police visits, signs and protests the illegal use still continues.

There are clear signs at the entrance to the road, which runs parallel to the main Kedleston Road, stating that only vehicles requiring access are allowed drive through - and you need a permit to do so.

Rosa Keeling, 36, has lived on the road for two years and sought to take matters into her own hands one morning, staging a mini protest with placards. Rosa was accompanied by her young children in hi-viz jackets and they hit the road to halt all those trying to bypass the bumper to bumper traffic. This act of defiance led to other families with small children following their example in the lead-up to the school run.

The protesters received support from passers-by, who beeped their horns in solidarity as they advised motorists to turn around.

Rosa said: "It's the worst I've ever known it, we get people cutting down, the speed they are going at is crazy. We are all walking to school, there are loads of kids about, its dangerous how fast they go. I want to be able to let my kids play on the road and just be kids, but they can't. It should be a nice quiet and safe road but it just isn't.

"I can't stand out there every morning with the school run and everything else. The police come down occasionally but there just isn't a viable solution to stopping them really. We suggested speedbumps as at least that would slow them down. It feels like we live on two main roads, it could be a danger to life, I just want to kick a bit of a stink up and deter them."

As a result of numerous reports to Derbyshire police, two officers from Allestree SNT were sent to man the road for the morning rush hour, where they were able to catch motorists in the act, issuing twelve £50 fines.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire police said: "Officers went to the scene after numerous reports from residents about drivers using it as a cut through. While officers were there 12 traffic offence reports were issued for contravening a No Motor Vehicle sign which leads to a £50 fine."

Rosa also told Derbyshire Live there had been numerous near misses, with one young boy on a bike being nearly hit by a speeding motorist. In addition there have been stories of residents being clipped by cars, and a pensioner who purposefully walks on the road to slow down those who use it as a rat run.

Another resident, Elma Irwin, said: They come belting along here going at least 40mph, to skip that little bit of traffic. It happens every day, we have had protests, we've had the police but it's still very very dangerous. You have no warning, when they come hurtling along. Let's face it, it says access only on either end what else can we do. I just want it stopped in any way. I think it's a major concern for those with children on the road."

Cliff Dobson has lived on the road for a number of years and said: "It's a danger actually, the police used to come a lot a long time ago. It's the speed, it's only a matter of time until someone gets hurt.

"You have to be careful when idiots come flying down. My main concern is the danger that someone does get hurt, all for skipping a little bit of traffic."

An unnamed resident of the road added that the speed of the drivers was a "danger to life", yet the only solution the residents came to a consensus on was the installation of speed bumps along the road.

Conservative ward Councillor for Allestree, Steve Hassall, said: "There are two factors at play here, the first being motorists not observing the restrictions and secondly and more importantly drivers speeding in these locations. Both behaviours are absolutely unacceptable and the idiot drivers who are guilty of this deserve to be slapped with a fine.

"I commend the police for their actions here, I only wish they undertook this action more frequently and in all the locations where this is happening in Allestree.

"I understand residents have undertaken their own interventions out of the frustration of this matter not being addressed by the police, who are ultimately responsible for enforcement. Again, I commend residents for their efforts and for their display of people power but they really shouldn’t have to resort to taking matters into their own hands.

"However, clearly it has had the desired effect and all credit to them for caring about safety in their community. "