A PETITION to lower the speed limit on a ‘danger road’ has been garnering signatures after worries were raised over the potential of a serious accident being caused.

Coun Steve Hunt, who represents the Darton East ward, is leading a campaign to lower the limit on Staincross Common to 30mph after concerns over the high amounts of speeding traffic on the road.

Coun Hunt, along with campaigner Richard Denton, has been encouraging residents who live on Staincross Common and Windhill Lane to sign the petition.

The councillor, who has been continually vocal about the issue at local police meetings, hopes the campaign will make the council install further safety measures on the road.

“I’ve had residents contacting me about speeding on Staincross Common since I became a councillor, and have raised the issue on a regular basis at police meetings,” he said.

“What we’re seeing is more and more traffic on this road as it is a way for people to get onto the motorway.

“A resident on Windhill Lane has got an elderly father, and the parking for them is at the other side of the road on a lay-by, which is getting more difficult and dangerous for them to access.

“When you get to Windhill Farm and the stables, it is getting increasingly difficult for both horse and rider.

“What we’re looking to do is to extend the 30mph zone all the way along the road.”

The petition, which currently has more than 100 signatures so far, will be presented to the council.

“At the moment, we’re trying to garner as many signatures as we can and then we will present the petition to the council,” Coun Hunt added.

“Council has said to me that there hasn’t been sufficient serious incidents on this road and there has been little money for road safety measures at the moment.

“I can understand where they are coming from but in my view, there needs to be something done now, before there is a serious accident.”

Local resident Andrew Madden, 73, who lives on Staincross Common, added: “I’d say that over 500 vehicles a day, every day, are breaking the speed limit on Staincross Common.

“And that goes for motorbikes, lorries, all types of vehicles.

“We get so much traffic, with high amounts of heavy goods, coming from this road that are trying to get to the Haigh crossroads, which in itself is an accident black spot.”

Richard Denton, who is helping to lead the campaign, said: “It’s not a problem that is unique to this road.

“There are other areas in and out of Darton and Mapplewell that encounter the same issues and concerns about road safety and speeding.

“It is hopefully the start of a bigger conversation around the borough - we have to start somewhere.”

Coun Chris Lamb, cabinet spokesperson for environment and transport, said: “The enforcement of speed limits on the highway is a police responsibility and any concerns over speeding vehicles by residents should be directed to the police who may consider the site for some local speed enforcement.

“The council does not have a duty to provide speed surveys on the highway.”