MP calls for solution amid road safety fears

An MP has called on officials to tackle traffic issues on a main road in Leicestershire.

Dr Jeevun Sandher, who represents the constituency of Loughborough, has urged for more to be done on the area's Ashby Road following concerns from residents who live near the route.

Sandher, Labour, has launched public consultation on safety improvements for the road and said residents regularly complained of noise, boy racers and intimidating gatherings there.

A spokesperson for the Reform UK-led Leicestershire County Council said the road was "regularly" subject to mobile speed camera enforcement.

Sandher claimed that residents overwhelmingly demanded more traffic measures on Ashby Road, but no action had been taken.

Concerns have been heightened due to the speed limit there varying between 30mph, 40mph and 50mph.

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership (LLRSP) showed just one mobile speed camera stationed along the road.

Sandher said he wanted safety improving for all and stated: "The Reform-led county council has a choice.

"They could put in speed cameras and traffic calming measures, or they can watch someone die on that road.

"This has been a problem for years. I've gone around the estate and it's an overwhelming issue.

"They say the speeding on that road is really, really bad and they want it to be dealt with.

"The Reform-led county council has the funding. They get to choose. So they should choose to protect my residents."

Data from the Department for Transport shows there have been dozens of crashes along Ashby Road in recent years, but just one fatality following a six-vehicle collision in 2020.

The decision on implementing more traffic control rests with National Highways, local councils and the police.

Jonathan Clarkson, spokesperson for the LLRSP, said: "Speeding is one of the main complaints we receive from local communities, and Leicestershire Police are constantly dealing with very high volumes of speeding offences.

"If a specific location meets our camera criteria following a covert speed survey it will be considered suitable for speed enforcement."

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: "We understand the concerns residents have about speeding and anti-social driving on Ashby Road and the impact this can have on people's sense of safety.

"Collision data shows one speed-related incident on this stretch in the last five years, and this means it does not meet the threshold for fixed speed cameras. However, it is regularly subject to mobile speed camera enforcement."

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