RESIDENTS living alongside a Forest road say they are in fear of a major accident as they claim a 30 mph speed limit is totally ignored.

They say requests for a speed camera and traffic calming have been dismissed by the police and highways authority as vehicles have turned Bream's Parkend Road into a race track.

"Cats and dogs are killed regularly and unless something is done a child will be next. A youngster was injured in an accident last year and we are all frightened that the next time it will be a fatality," said Joanna Jones.

Mrs Jones, who lives at Bream's former police station, says the speed of vehicles using the road is "quite ridiculous."

"It's nothing more than a race track. The average speed has to be 50mph and though we have complained no-one in authority seems to be that interested," she said.

Now a petition has been organised and will be sent to the Highways Authority and the police asking for traffic calming measures to be introduced and for speeders to be prosecuted. The help of Forest MP Diana Organ is also being sought.

"It is a built-up area and the only suggestion from the authorities has been to do away with roadside parking. That would be a disaster as it would make conditions worse and encourage cars to travel even faster than they do at present," said Mrs Jones.

"The whole road is up in arms about the situation. It really is dangerous and we want action to be taken as a matter of urgency. It will be too late if a child is seriously injured or even killed and we believe it could easily happen if something is not done soon," she said.