Residents' fury at speeding motorists

The row started after people living in St Mary's Road were approached by Hastings Council about parking charges in the area.

But they say unless more is done to stop cars speeding through this narrow road, the lives of children living there could be at risk.

They have come up with what they believe could be a possible solution, but claim the council is not interested in the views of residents.

Gary Holland, who has lived in the road for two years, said: "If something is not done to improve safety here, it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.

"We do have speed bumps in the road, but this doesn't stop people speeding through here at more than 50 miles an hour.

"We have a lot of children living in this street and I have seen one car nearly hit a child because it was going too fast.

"I have spoken to a lot of the residents about it and we have suggested a scheme which we think could help the situation, but they wouldn't even listen.

"They always go on about raising money, but how can you put a price on somebody's life?"

The council's idea involves putting a chicane at either end of the road, with a series of sleeping policeman at regular intervals to make speeding difficult.

Mr Holland also says the problem of parking could be eased by introducing slanted bays into the area.

With some households having as many as five cars, he believes this could double the space available for safety.

He claims because St Mary's Road is so far from the town centre, the resident parking scheme is not relevant to the area and condemned it as a money-making venture.

Council spokesman, Gemma Salter, said: "Mr Holland's comments were received, but because of resource constraints, we are unable to reply to every response.

"We can reassure residents that all comments are considered carefully and taken into account in the decision-making process."