RESIDENTS in Steam Mills are taking matters into their hands to reduce the speed limit by 10mph to 30mph – by making scarecrows.

At present the road through the village is 40mph which locals say is ‘too fast’ for a built-up area that includes a primary school.

After calls to the Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Police the residents have yet to reach a desirable solution and have made scarecrows – with the help of local primary schoolchildren – to evoke ‘intrigue’ to slow down traffic.

Mum-of-one Kate Thorne is spearheading a campaign to see action. She said: “The difference between 30mph and 40mph is life and death. If a child carelessly steps off the pavement walking to school and is hit by a vehicle at 40mph the result would be fatal.

“I feel the only reason there hasn’t been a tragic accident is due to people being so vigilant. Many fear walking along the pavement at peak times and the elderly find it almost impossible to cross the road to the bus stop. Our community should not have to feel anxious about walking in their neighbourhood.

“The scarecrow method has been successful in other villages and the children at Steam Mills Primary School have been making scarecrows during their gardening club and displayed them outside the school.

“The purpose of making eye-catching scarecrows is to evoke ‘intrigue and uncertainly’ to naturally slow the traffic.”

A community speed watch group has been set up with the help of the police, who have been monitoring speeds in the area.

Kate has also set-up an online petition, which has more than 160 signatures, and a Facebook page asking people to consider driving at 30mph when passing through the village.

The campaign has full support of Cinderford Town Council which recently purchased wheelie bin stickers to highlight the residents’ plea for a safer road.

The county council’s local highways manager, Brian Watkins said: “I met with residents of Steam Mills who raised concerns over speeding there and, in particular, outside of Steam Mills Primary School.

“We will be working with residents to come up with a short-term solution to the issue, before looking into what can be done long-term to address the issue of speeding.”

A suggested short-term solution is line painting and new signs along the route. There is scope for further changes to be made as the Cinderford Northern Quarter regeneration project develops.