NEIGHBOURS along a narrow village road are trying to put the brakes on speeding drivers who are putting lives at peril.

Drivers and motorcylists regularly roar down Mossborough Road in Rainford at the speeds in excess of 50mph on their way to either Rainford Bypass or the East Lancs

Residents say that the speed and amount of traffic on the road is now jeopardising the safety of pedestrians, residents and road users - and they are demanding something is done about it.

Just a week ago a teenage student was about to step out of his driveway onto the pavement when a white Mondeo coming from the village direction, mounted the pavement at high speed and carried on travelling to avoid a Mercedes coming the other way which was overtaking parked vehicles.

"There's no doubt in my mind, if I had gone out a split second earlier I would have been killed by that idiot's crazy driving and sheer lack of patience. Just imagine if it had been a baby in a pram."

Residents have voiced fears in the past, but no action has been taken. At one point speed restiction notices were painted onto the road at the beginning of the residential zone. But after roadworks were carried out, these were obliterated and have never been restored.

Now the traffic problem, they say, has escalated and residents have put together a petition which includes the signatures of everyone who lives on Mossborough Road.

A spokesperson said; "Even the average motorist seems to travel at 35-40mph on this road - and there is a minority who go over 50! Something has to be done about it".

"I personally think that traffic calming measures should be introduced".

Neighbours believe that the inclusion of small islands at separate distances on the road, which give priority to oncoming traffic, would go a long way to reducing the speed of motorists.

The amount of lorries and heavy goods vehicles using the road is also identified as a problem.

The spokesperson added "I counted 38 lorries passing through the road in one hour, and only 70 are permitted to use the road in one day. The houses actually vibrate when they go past ".

The petition has been submitted to St Helens Police and residents are considering their next course of action. But they are hopeful that measures will be introduced to reduce the speed of traffic and improve safety in the area.