Drivers treat Cockfield street 'like Brands Hatch'

FOOTBALLERS desperate to make kick-off time treat a narrow village road like Brands Hatch, parish councillors in Cockfield heard.
Members were discussing safety along Coronation Terrace, which leads to the vehicle entrance of Cockfield recreation area. The parish council had received a letter from resident Leanne Burton highlighting the speed of cars down Coronation Terrace and stating she had almost been “wiped out” on one occasion.
Cllr Carole West said when the Pauline Charlton Sports Pavilion was being built at the recreation area, she had raised the issue with police who had told her it was a matter for the county highways authority.
Cllr Christine Watters said: “Half the time, the footballers turn up at the last minute and think it’s Brands Hatch.”
Cllr Neville Singleton said it wasn’t just on days when football matches were taking place that speeding was a problem. He added: “During the ordinary daytime it’s been a problem as well. It’s a dangerous road.”
He said that while the parish council could not go ahead and put speed signs on Coronation Terrace, members were well within their rights to introduce a limit on how fast cars could go along the track once in the recreation area.
He suggested putting up a 10mph sign on the gate at the entrance to the rec road.
Other suggestions for slowing traffic on Coronation Terrace include the installation of speed bumps and a mirror so traffic could see oncoming vehicles more clearly.
Parish council chairwoman Cllr Brenda Singleton said: “I don’t know how they can go so fast down there. I go at about 5mph.”
Members agreed to contact Durham County Council’s highways department for advice on Coronation Terrace.
They also agreed to put up 10mph speed signs for the track from the entrance to the rec area to the sports pavilion.