'We want permanent speed cameras in our village'

Residents of a village plagued by speeding drivers have called for fixed cameras to be installed to improve safety.

Parish councillors in Fairburn, near Selby, said motorists were breaking the 40mph limit on several roads, including one which passes a primary school.

They said enforcement of speed restrictions was difficult because North Yorkshire Police did not operate permanent cameras.

Councillor John Kos said: "We have had people die here from speeding. It's just a matter of time before someone speeding through this village causes a major incident."

Fairburn was one of six "areas of concern" for road safety highlighted by Selby MP Keir Mather.

Kos called for the introduction of fixed speed cameras in the county. He added: "Road safety is the issue we're contacted about most often. It really matters to people who live here, but enforcement is a real problem.

"We understand the police have lots of priorities but why not put some speed cameras up? I am worried about the children, the old people, people who use wheelchairs but have to go onto the road because of parking on pavements."

North Yorkshire Police said their mobile speed camera policy was based on research and was reviewed regularly based on force data which showed that "harm and risk" moved around locations.

The mobile cameras had reduced casualties by 20% at each site they were deployed to, a spokesperson added.

The speed limit on the A1246 outside the village school is due to be cut to 30mph.

Parish councillor Derrick Robinson said he "regularly" saw vehicles exceed the current maximum.

"Please slow down, respect our village and the safety of pedestrians and other people using the roads. If people don't, sooner or later someone will be killed."

Keane Duncan, the senior Conservative North Yorkshire councillor responsible for roads and road safety, said the council was taking "co-ordinated and proactive action" to improve safety across the county.

Duncan said speed limits across all roads were being reviewed, with those near schools classed as a priority, and limits were being reduced "pre-emptively," rather than in response to an accident.

"Analysis of data shows the trend for the number of collisions, injuries and deaths on North Yorkshire's roads is thankfully declining," Duncan added.

A North Yorkshire Council spokesman said the county took a "partnership approach" to road safety, which saw the council working closely with different branches of the emergency services.

"While there is always more work to do, our approach is working," the spokesman said.

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