Dalton residents' concerns over "race track" drivers

The number of vehicles using Brierley Road at Dalton has increased with Oldgate Lane at Thrybergh closed for summer gas works.

Resident Joanne McCreath (38) said: “It’s always been a problem. People use it as a cut-through up to Thrybergh. But it seems to have become more and more.

“Maybe with the good weather and having the door open, we’re noticing it more. 

“But drivers come screeching along with no regard for this not being a main road and tearing onto Magna Lane, where we regularly see accidents. 

“It feels like our road has been turned into a racetrack.”

Independent campaigner and Thrybergh resident Michael Sylvester said: “Brierley Road is very much a residential road with a mix of families used to having children out playing, but also with a large number of older persons’ bungalows.

“Drivers have started using this and Wilson Drive as a cut through following the Oldgate Lane closure and often at speed to make up a few seconds on the extra distance they are needing to cover to get to Doncaster Road.

“I’m calling on the police to organise extra patrols and speeding enforcement in the area to help tackle the problem.”

South Yorkshire Police said residents with strong concerns were able to contact South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership to request a speed survey. 

Mr Sylvester said the request had now been made and volunteers were being sought to take part in a community speedwatch patrol.

He said the issue emerged as he spends 40 weekends on “street surgeries” covering Dalton, East Herringthorpe and Thrybergh.

He added: “My aim is to get opinions and viewpoints from every road and street. 

“When you consider the levels of deprivation locally, these tend to be opinions that are not represented well at any level of politics.”