RESIDENTS in Cowling have taken action after seeing increasing numbers of cars and lorries hurtling through their village.

They say speeding traffic on the A6068 through Cowling, between Cross Hills and Colne, has always been a problem, but it has got worse over the last few months, during the coronavirus lockdown.

Residents claim there have been many serious accidents and near misses, despite the 30 mph speed limit, with motorists driving recklessly and too fast for the road conditions, overtaking on double white lines at the entrance to the village, and without any thought for pedestrians and other road users.

In order to try and tacklethe problem, a closed Facebook group, Cowling 4#30, has been set up with the aim of highlighting and recording incidents of those breaking the speed limit and driving recklessly. Residents are also working with the police, through North Yorkshire’s Operation Spartan scheme, and the force’s camera safety van is regularly sited in the village.

A spokesperson for Cowling 4#30 said: “Cars have been seen driving through the village at speeds of anything up to 70 mph, overtaking and making dangerous manoeuvres right in the centre of the village where a 30mph limit is in force. Visit Cowling almost any day of the week and you’d think the speed limit was not applicable.

“Cowling 4#30 was set up with the aim of exposing and recording incidents of excessive speed. These are logged and if considered serious, and there is good dash-cam or video evidence, they are reported to Operation Spartan at North Yorkshire Police. “

Villagers are reporting incidents at all times of the day and night, with culprits including both HGVs and cars.

The spokesperson added: “There are a number of particularly dangerous pinch points in the village, like outside Cowling Chippy and the bends by the top of Winkholme where several collisions and near misses have occurred due to speeding.

“ Last week there was report by a resident who narrowly missed being hit head-on by an overtaking vehicle. This is not an isolated event either. It happens all the time.”

A problem area they say is the entrance to the village from the direction of Cross Hills where speeding is ‘commonplace’ despite highly visible signs, central bollards, cross hatching on the road and a sign that lights up when vehicles pass at more than 30mph, and also at the double bends near Green Syke.

The group has welcomed the presence of police safety camera vans, but is dismayed that some motorists are warning other drivers by flashing headlight warnings.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said that action has been taken following a number of incidents submitted under Operation Spartan and speeding concerns have also been submitted to the relevant team by Op Spartan officers on behalf of residents.

“We understand the concerns and frustrations of residents, who recognise the dangers of excessive speed in their community. We deploy marked mobile safety camera vans and motorbikes to the area to prevent speeding and other offences, which is widely welcomed by residents. Officers have also been talking to residents to explore any other ways we can make a difference.

“Any community that has concerns about speeding can report them to us via a Speed Concern form on our website: www.northyorkshire.police.uk/do-it-online/road-policing/traffic-bureau/is-speed-a-concern-in-your-area/

“Each report is considered carefully to determine the most effective measures for that community.”