A PETITION campaigning for a crackdown on speeding motorists in Kelly Bray's Station Road has been signed by more than 100 residents in the village who claim the area is now like 'a death trap'.

The plea for help from the police and Callington Town Council in enforcing and extending the 30mph speed limit was made at the annual town meeting on Friday evening.

Gerald Pridham said the issue was first raised when planning permission was granted for the new Barratt's housing estate 'Lady Beam Court' off Station Road three years ago.

'We said then that something needed to be done like a roundabout to slow the traffic but nobody seemed to take any notice of us.

'There are 84 houses on that estate and most of them are now occupied by people who have children. I live next door to that estate and I dread the day when I will come out of my front door and see an accident there. It is only a matter of time before that happens. It's a death trap.'

Mr Pridham said there was a 30mph speed limit in place but there was no sign to reinforce the message to drivers coming from the Callington direction that it extended to that area of Kelly Bray. The only sign was at the other end of Station Road for drivers coming from the Kit Hill direction.

'Coming out of that estate you are blind to the traffic coming from the Kit Hill direction and just the other day a car came around the corner and skidded because it had to slow quickly for someone exiting the estate. They must have been driving at between 60mph and 80mph.

'If the speed limit was further out of the village it would warn drivers earlier that they have to slow down. Maybe putting sleeping policemen along that road would also help.'

Police sergeant Brett Philips said speeding in both Station Road and Liskeard Road in Callington were of concern to the public and these were two areas where Speedwatch could be used.

Under the new scheme members of the public assist police by monitoring the speed of traffic using cameras. Drivers exceeding the speed limit are sent warning letters and if they continue to speed police decide whether to take enforcement action.

Sgt Philips said he would be visiting Station Road himself. The police would liaise with Cornwall Council to see if any traffic calming measures could be put in place if a problem was identified.

Public spirited individuals are being asked to come forward to get involved in Speedwatch in the same way as members of the public get involved in neighbourhood watch schemes and become special constables.