A CONCERNED resident in Chard has taken matters into her own hands in a bid to make the town centre a safer place.

Ann Morgan, who lives in High Street, said some motorists are ‘bombing’ through the town centre at up to 70mph and she fears someone will be killed if nothing is done.

She has launched a petition at the post office in Fore Street to show highways bosses the strength of feeling for safety measures to be brought in.

She told the News: “There are no flashing lights and no ‘slow down’ signs – people are just bombing it up and down the road.

“Traffic is far too fast – it is crazy. You cannot cross Crowshute Lane because drivers just bomb it round the corner.

Some of them hit the pavement they are going so fast.”

Mrs Morgan claimed she had been fobbed off by highways bosses at Somerset County Council and hoped the petition would show them how many people in Chard have similar safety concerns.

She already has about 300 signatures and said: “We just want safety for Chard – the town is being left behind and my goal with this petition is to bring in a 20mph speed limit.

“We should not have to wait for a serious accident to happen before something is done.”

Somerset road safety manager Terry Beale told the News the council was aware of the concerns and said work to install signs and lines on the road had taken place.

He added: “The bottom line is that speed enforcement is a matter for the police, not the county council.”

Chard beat manager PC Paul Thomas said police were trying all they could to slow drivers down.

He added: “I was working with the community speedwatch last Tuesday and we do all we can to support them.

“I would support the introduction of some flashing speed indicator signs and would urge drivers to be aware of their speed – when you see a speed limit sign, check your speedo.”