TRAFFIC-slowing measures could be taken to tackle dangerous driving on Cleator Moor's roads. 

Town councillors said steps need to be taken after research showed that many drivers were clocking up speeds of 80 and even 90 miles per hour roads that have a maximum speed limit of 40.  

Traffic surveys were carried out by Highways earlier in the year and the exercise was recently repeated to confirm the findings. 

Counts have been carried out in the Bowthorn area. In the region of 5,500 cars are travelling each way, every day. Some of the vehicles are travelling at excessive speeds so this issue will be forwarded to the traffic police. Further counts are to be carried out from Keekle, throughout the whole town.

Measures discussed in a recent town council meeting included a narrowing of roads in certain places so vehicles will have to slow down and allow pedestrians to cross the road. 

Copeland councillor for Cleator Moor, Frank Morgan said: "These findings back up what we originally thought - that some of the driving on this road is out of control and it dangerous for other motorists as well as pedestrians. 

"The figures are quite alarming, not just concerning the speeds that people are driving, but also the volume of traffic.

"With the nuclear developments in coming years, there are going to be even more cars on the road and we need to take steps to ensure that we have safe roads for everyone."

Chairwoman of the town council, Joan Hully, said: "It's getting horrendous now and it's particularly dangerous for those crossing the road because you wouldn't anticipate a vehicle coming down that road at 80 or 90 miles per hour."