IRRESPONSIBLE drivers are endangering pedestrians, cyclists and other road users by driving the wrong way down a one-way street.

That is the view of Cllr Jonathan Farber in the wake of police action this week to address the problem.

Minshull Street in Knutsford is one-way in the direction of King Street, and motorists are directed to turn left at the junction with King Street, itself one-way at that point.

However a number of drivers looking to avoid the town centre traffic are instead turning right into King Street and almost immediately left into Egerton Square and Old Market Place, and on to Moorside before joining the A537.

Cllr Farber, a member of Knutsford Town Council, said: “For years this junction has been on the local danger list.

“Drivers continually turn right [at the end of Minshull Street] against the traffic on King Street, endangering pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

“From what I can ascertain, this action is simply to avoid traffic on the A50 Toft Road and King Edward Road and to get back onto the A537 Chelford Road, or to avoid the busy junctions and access King Street at the railway bridge.

“Either way, it's totally irresponsible to think that driving the wrong way down a one-way street, regardless to how short a stretch, is by any means acceptable.”

Police officers have this week been at the junctions of King Street and Minshull Street, and King Street and Old Market Place, after receiving complaints about drivers contravening the one-way King Street.

A police spokesman said: “Please do not be tempted to drive down the one-way King Street as a shortcut. This is an endorsable offence, and you risk getting a ticket.”