RESIDENTS who are determined to stop their town being used as a "rat-run" have set up a speed watch group to slow down motorists.

Volunteers in Broughton have started training to operate a speed gun to get drivers to travel under the 30mph limit and educate them about not treating their streets as a "rat-run" and a cut- through.

Broughton Community Speed Watch Group are training with PCSO Paul Harris, of the Ulverston and High Furness community policing team. Drivers monitored exceeding the speed limit on the radar device receive a warning letter.

Residents say for many years Broughton has suffered from a high number of motorists using it as a cut-through from the A595 as they perceive that they can shave seconds off their travel time.

The group says speed indicator device data gathered by Cumbria Police on Church Street during June and July this year showed the average daily volume of traffic is around 2,700 vehicles.

Around 390 vehicles a day were travelling above 30mph, with the average speeder travelling at around 38mph. Some were even recorded at 50mph.

The community of Broughton has continually campaigned for the town to have a 20mph speed limit as they feel this is more appropriate.

Annette Carmichael, chairwoman of Broughton Community Plan Steering Group, is one of the 15 volunteers. Ms Carmichael, of Church Street, said: "This is putting the lives of residents and visitors at considerable risk as well causing unnecessary stress and noise to those living on this and other affected streets. When the rat-run road was closed for roadworks for a fortnight in September, the number of vehicles driving through Broughton was reduced by almost two thirds.

"Many residents believe that the 30 mph speed limit for Broughton is inappropriate due to our narrow streets, road bends, children walking to school, higher than average number of elderly people."

The group said their presence in high visibility jackets and with the speed gun this Saturday in Church Street saw motorists slow down.

The group said there are parents with babies in prams, those with older children and elderly people who feel vulnerable using the narrow pavements with cars travelling at speed.

They say in the past there have been near misses.

Ruth Benson, a mum-of two, of Church Street, said: "I feel anxious walking through Broughton with the children. It is a concern."

Chris Pitts, of Church Street, said: "It feels unsafe with the speed and volume of traffic. There are parents with children and older people using these narrow pavements."