Worried Aberdeenshire villagers have called for speed bumps to be installed in their community amid concerns at the “unbelievable” rate at which motorists are travelling.
People in Bridgend, near Ellon, say that drivers leaving the nearby AWPR regularly fail to adjust their speeds before entering the village.
Signs advising of a 30mph speed limit are erected at the entry to Bridgend, and the limit reduces to 20mph further in.
But residents claim that cars often zip past their homes at speeds of up to 60mph, and Aberdeenshire Council has been urged to investigate the possibility of installing speed bumps.
Villagers say that existing methods of encouraging drivers to slow down, including a speed camera on a bend, are insufficient as they drop their speed before approaching the spot anyway.
One concerned man said: “My home is at the bottom end of the AWPR and you’ve never seen speed like it in your life.
“It’s a 30mph limit going into a 20mph limit – but they’re coming in at 60mph.
“In the morning when you’re reversing out and it’s still dark, sometimes you wouldn’t believe the speed of certain individuals.
“It’s not too much to ask for when the place is a dead end – if you’re coming in then there’s no need to go fast because you’re not going anywhere.”
The resident said he was scared to take his dog outside for a walk and has resorted to driving elsewhere to keep the pet safe.
He added: “It’s dangerous, especially in the dark.”
Gordon MP Richard Thomson last night backed the calls for action.
He said: “The speed limits are there for a good reason and should be followed.
“However, I’ve asked Aberdeenshire Council to consider monitoring traffic speeds into the village, and to give consideration to whether any changes might have to be made to the road to help slow some drivers down.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “We have noted the concerns of Bridgend residents and have factored the area into our speed monitoring programme.
“We will also be addressing signage at the location and refreshing the painted roundels denoting the speed limit when weather conditions permit.”
