CCTV cameras to go up on Coventry 'rat run'

[dutchman]

A meeting was told there has been a number of "near misses" due to speeding drivers



CCTV cameras are to monitor a set of Coventry roads following claims they are being used as a “rat run” by speeding drivers.

The new cameras will run on Morris Avenue, Macaulay Road, MacDonald Road and Hipswell Highway to check vehicle registration plates and “see where cars are coming from”.

Vehicle activated signs will also be utilised for a three-month period on Macaulay Road, in Lower Stoke.

It follows a 41-name petition raised by Cllr Richard Brown arguing action needed to be taken before “a serious injury or worse”.

Although no date has been given for when the cameras will be installed.

Cllr Brown, who lives on the road, told a council meeting that the problem had been “exasperated” by a speed reduction scheme on Longfellow Road, which was subject to road safety measures after the tragic hit-and-run deaths of young brothers Corey and Casper Platt-May in 2018.

He said: “Unfortunately people come into Macaulay Road to cut off Longfellow Road so they don’t have to go through the speedbumps.

“That has increased the use of those roads as a rat run. Over the years it has gradually got worse and worse.

“In the space of one night we got 41 people signing up but could have gone back the next day and got 90 per cent to sign up – that’s how strong the feelings are.”

Ward councillors John McNicholas and Rupinder Singh also supported the need for action and asked for the speed limit to reduce from 30mph to 20mph – particularly as it is in close proximity to Cauldon Castle School and Ravensdale Primary School.

Cllr Brown referenced a recent incident where a van smashed into a parked car and “virtually wrote it off”, while Cllr Singh also claimed there had been a “number of near misses”.

A council speed survey in November 2019 found weekday speeds averaged at around 21mph, and while officers were reluctant to agree to a 20mph zone, they did pledge to monitor the area with new cameras to see what other work can be done to tackle the problem.

[rebbonk]

I think there are many worse 'rat runs' than this one.

[dutchman]

...But they don't have a councillor living on them!

[rebbonk]