Cockermouth residents worried about speeding drivers are asking if someone has to be killed before action is taken.

Coun Richard Watson called for the town council to take action.

He said: “Members of the public have approached me about problems in Simonscales Lane, which will only increase with further developments at Violet Bank caravan park.

“I know that Brigham Road, Windmill Lane, Lorton Road and other roads within the town have serious problems of traffic going too fast.

“Phrases like ‘only a matter of time’ and ‘an accident waiting to happen’ are commonly used by people in these areas

“I remember when a girl was killed up near Cockermouth School and, in the wake of that tragedy, a crossing and traffic-calming measures were installed. Another phrase which gets used is ‘do we have to wait until someone gets killed?’”

He asked the town council to make a formal representation to the county council about the situation. “I know that the town council has debated traffic issues in the past and expressed concern to the county council, but I feel it is important we address this problem and are seen to do so,” he said.

“There are various places in town where cares are going too fast for the conditions.

"In Simonscales Lane and Brigham Road, drivers may be going under the 30mph limit, but with parked cars that’s dangerous.”

He would like the county council to consider traffic-calming measures, speed humps and 20mph signage in places.

“This is something we should push for rather than wait for something terrible to happen,” he said.

Mayor Alan Smith said: “I agree that Cockermouth has been neglected. We have had two surveys done in Windmill Lane and it came back that it was not much of a problem, but it is a problem, there are dangerous pinch points. The problem is policing it.”

Coun David Malloy said: “Do police not have anything to do with speeding on estates? Is a speed gun no longer part of their remit? Should we highlight this with them?”

Coun Stephen Barnes said: “Traffic police do not have the manpower to get to these places.

“One of the quickest ways to slow people down is to have a camera, it might be worth contacting them regarding having a camera van. If it was sat on Lorton Road that would give an indication of speed.”

It was decided that the clerk writes to County Highways, the police and the Speed Camera Partnership regarding these concerns.