A CONCERNED driver in Cinderford fears that children riding push-a-long scooters carelessly through the town are an accident waiting to happen.

The Review has been told by a businesswoman and mother, who did not wish to be named, that only last week a young boy on a scooter went into the back of her vehicle as she was waiting to turn right off the High Street near Lidl.

She said: "The high street is a busy road and is narrow and hard to get through at the best of times. I was waiting to turn into the junction at the bottom of where I live when all of a sudden I heard a thud at the back of my car. When I looked into my mirror I noticed that a young lad, who looked about 10 or 11, had gone into the back of me.

"When I got into my junction I pulled over to check the lad was ok and noticed he had continued riding down the hill and assumed he wasn't injured but my car had two scratches as well as his hand print on the window where he tried to stop himself.

"Recently, both I and my customers trying to get to my house have noticed an increase in young children, mainly boys, riding down through the high street and 'bunny-hopping' between the pavement and road and not considering drivers.

"Now the summer holidays are here, I fear more young people will be on the roads and is at risk of serious injury. The amount of times I have seen these young riders on scooters come flying out of junctions at the bottom of the high street and going down hill is unbelievable I don't think they are aware they are a danger to drivers.

"It appears they are racing with their friends to get to the skate park which is at the bottom of the high street opposite the fuel station. I just hope that parents who know their child is going out on these scooters remind them to be careful."

Cinderford town mayor, Max Coburn said: "I am aware of the problem and will bring it up at the next meeting. Most of the kids are on their way to the skate park and, while they are a nuisance, I think all we can do is educate them. One of the best ways to achieve that is looking to have community officers on the street over the summer reminding children of the dangers. Unfortunately, many of them won't know what danger they are causing until they are in an accident – but it's too late then."