Protest fails to put brakes on 'rat' run road

Dozens of locals have signed a petition calling for measures to be brought in on Meadow Street in Masbrough.

They are alarmed at the number of cars which they say speed through their estate near a kids' play area and a park.

But today Rotherham Council said it was unlikely that safety improvements would be made to the road.

A spokesman said a speed survey had revealed average speeds were "not that high", and no-one had been injured on the road in the last three years.

Councillor John Foden, who has backed the campaign to bring traffic calming measures to the streets of Masbrough, insisted a safety scheme was needed.

He said: "Meadow Street is used as a rat run for motorists wishing to miss traffic on the top main road.

"The street is very narrow and the fact that terraced houses are on one side for its full length also means it is always full of cars.

"There is a children's play area in the nearby park and kids coming out of the park could be in danger. Some traffic calming measures are needed for public safety."

A spokesman for the council's environment and development services confirmed a letter and petition containing 32 signatures had been received.

"The petition requests that a traffic calming scheme is brought in due to allegedly speeding vehicles and rat running to avoid queuing at the lights on the junction of Kimberworth Road and Wilton Gardens," he said.

"But a speed survey revealed mean speeds were not that high and vehicle flow was also not high either.

"Accident records show there have not been any recorded injury accidents on Meadow Street in the last three years.

"For these reasons, traffic calming cannot be recommended for Meadow Street."