'˜Slow down': Clampdown on speeders on Skegness rat-run

PCSO Sally West checking speeds in Everington's Lane, Skegness. ANL-171003-144452001

Motorists speeding along a Skegness lane are driving residents to despair.

Speeds of up to 87mph have been clocked in Everingtons Lane - a popular rat-run used by motorists avoiding congestion on the main roads to resorts.

One resident has gone as far as to display a scarecrow in his garden wearing a hi-vis vest and even made his own 30mph sign, only to have it destroyed by an irate driver.

The Standard joined PC Sally West in Everingtons Lane on Thursday to help raise awareness of the problem and speak to residents.

PCSO Sally West checking speeds in Everington's Lane, Skegness. ANL-171003-144536001

PC West said: “We’ve had a lot of complaints. When I was training they brought me down here to show me how to use the speed gun - it’s been a problem for a lot of years.

“We’ve put a SID speed indicator in place to remind people it is a 30mph limit and come here with the gun on a regular basis.

“Apart from breaking the law, Everingtons Lane isn’t a road where speeding is sensible. There are potholes and the surface isn’t good and accidents can happen very easily.”

One resident, who preferred not to be named, said: “My husband has faced abuse several times for trying to slow people down.

PC Sally West with a scarecrow wearing a hi-vis jacket placed in a residents garden to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. ANL-171003-150716001

“Lots of people have dogs but you put yourself in danger every time you go out to take them for a walk.

“We have to reverse into the drive because you’d never get out otherwise. It’s never ending.”

The worst times of the day for speeding motorists are school times and until 6-7pm at night.

Mark Chapman has lived in Everingtons Lane for 11 years. He said: “Four or five animals have been killed on the lane because of people speeding.

A speed indicator device has been put in Everington's Lane, Skegness, by police to make drivers think about the speed they are travelling at. ANL-171003-150808001

“I’ve seen some motorists travelling between 70-80mph. We’ve had lads racing down here too. I report it but they come back.

“Sat Navs bring people down here who are going to Chapel St Leonards. But the road isn’t fit enough for a horse and cart.”

During the short time we were in Everingtons Lane on Thursday, PC West clocked two speeding drivers - one at 35mph and another at 37mph.

She said: “Other times when I’ve been here I’ve clocked drivers at 50mph. We get down there as often as we can because there is a problem. Hopefully by highlighting it with the Skegness Standard drivers will think again about speeding.”