ALMOST 1,900 cars and lorries broke the speed limit on a main road into Northwich over a 10-day period.

Speed detection radar equipment recently recorded the speed of vehicles in both directions on Manchester Road at Lostock Gralam, which has a 30 miles an hour speed limit.

Despite the large number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit the average speed for the period was recorded as 31 to 33 miles an hour.

The equipment was requested from Cheshire West and Chester Council by Lostock Gralam parish councillor Peter Kelly, who lives on Manchester Road opposite the business park and has campaigned for many years to cut speeds on the road.

He was concerned at the number of drivers who continue to break the speed limit, and called on motorists to slow down.

The speed equipment was used near Cllr Kelly's home between September 4 and 14, and a total of 900 vehicles were recorded travelling eastbound at up to 41 miles an hour, an average of more than five an hour.

In addition 248 were driven at up to 46 miles an hour, 36 were recorded travelling at up to 51 miles an hour, and six were driven at up to 56 miles an hour.

For westbound traffic 521 vehicles were recorded travelling up to 41 mph, 144 at up to 46 mph, 23 up to 51 mph and two at up to 56 mph.

The equipment can collect the volume and speed of traffic and vehicle classification, and recorded between 6am and 10pm. The data was passed to the police.

Scores of vehicles continue to break the speed limit despite police speed checks, speed signs and the introduction near Lostock Gralam Community Centre of interactive speed signs.

Cllr Kelly lives near the point where Manchester Road joins the A556, and was instrumental in obtaining the interactive signs.

He said the radar equipment was sited on a lamppost near Lostock Gralam Community Centre, and although disappointed at the number of speeders believed the interactive signs had led to a reduction in speeding.

"The interactive signs have improved things quite a lot, but there is still a problem as people speed up after passing the signs," said Cllr Kelly.

"The last thing we want is for there to be an accident, particularly involving a child, and I would ask drivers to think of their children's safety when they are speeding along."

He was surprised at the average speed recorded, which he said could be explained by the speed of queuing traffic in rush hour and approaching traffic lights on red near the business park.

Councillor Brian Clarke, Cheshire West Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure said: “The area highways team have been working with the parish council to address concerns about drivers speeding on Manchester Road, Lostock Gralam.

“We have recently installed two interactive signs which flash ‘30 slow down’ when a driver exceeds a certain speed and these have proved very positive.

“A recent survey arranged by the council’s road safety team showed average speeds were around 31 mph for westbound traffic and 33 mph for eastbound traffic.

“Although these figures would not normally trigger police enforcement, we will continue to work with the parish council to address this issue.”