A NEIGHBOURHOOD watch group which has clocked drivers travelling at more than three times the limit is carrying on its fight to get tougher measures at a speeding hotspot.

Tonge Fold Neighbourhood Watch volunteers have recorded cars speeding at more than 70mph on 20mph Ainsworth Lane. And last week a motorist crashed into the garden wall and driveway of chairman Dave Edmondson’s house and hit one of the family’s cars.

The group has campaigned for speed cameras to be installed and a petition has attracted close to 400 signatures.

Secretary Lynette Drew said data showing evidence of speeding has been sent to the council.

And Miss Drew has criticised Bolton Council for “creating the perfect storm” by reducing the speed limit on Ainsworth Lane in 2016 from 30mph to 20mph, which had the effect of giving the road less enforcement priority than roads with higher limits.

She said: “It is Tonge Fold Neighbourhood Watch’s belief that in our community, and across Bolton, it is only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured, or deaths on our roads increase, making it vital that community speedwatch groups are out and recording factual data to assist in getting enforcement.

"The high speeds the group are recording are not one-offs, but daily and hourly, with the highest so far being 74mph.”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is preparing to introduce a community speedwatch programme across the region.

The force says it follows the national model of enforcement on 20mph roads, which is about “creating compliance rather than prosecuting offenders”.

Different options are available and if they are exhausted, enforcement will take place “after a period of monitoring and consultation regarding possible redevelopment of the road to reduce speeds”.

Superintendent Julie Ellison of GMP’s Specialist Operations Team said: “20mph zones are designed to be self-enforcing using traffic-calming measures such as speed humps, road narrowing and central islands which naturally slow vehicles down to speeds below the limit.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Road safety is a priority for us but we have no powers to enforce speeding, and the decisions on where to install speed cameras have to meet national guidelines and the funding has to be available to install them.

"GMP has the legal power to enforce speeding, and we are working closely with them to help them roll out community speedwatch schemes.”