A PLEA for drivers to slow down has been made by worried neighbours following a spate of road traffic incidents near their homes.

Over the past couple of months 79-year-old Bob Henson, of Colton, near Ulverston, recorded at least four incidents near where he lives on Springfield Road and Tottlebank Farm.

One episode involved the police being called to a report of a car landing on its roof on Sunday, December 8 at around 10pm.

The vehicle was located on its roof in a field between Tottlebank Farm and the A590.

A Cumbria police spokesman said no injuries were reported.

Mr Henson, who has lived in Colton for 25 years, stressed that Tottlebank crossroads, which is just off the A590 between Springfield Road and Tottlebank Farm, was particularly bad for incidents.

“We’ve had damaged signs and damaged railings because of cars crashing,” he said.

“We normally have two a year but this is getting worse and it’s bound to continue.”

Abigail Bennett, who has lived in the area for the past 15 years, said that the road was used a lot as a shortcut or diversion especially if there had been an incident on the A590 - which she said happened all too regularly.

“We are concerned that drivers aren’t using the road safely,” she said. “The lanes are small and narrow and just can’t cope with the volume of traffic.

“It’s certainly a growing concern as there are families and elderly people who live here and we would just like to feel safe.”

Mr Henson, a former Coniston Mountain Rescue Team member, said he wanted to raise awareness about the problem.

“I live in dread and fear when I drive that a white van will come around at a silly speed.

“We want to bring it to people’s attention and respect the road.”

Mr Henson is also appealing for a sign warning drivers not to follow their sat navs.

“The sat nav doesn’t understand the lanes,” he continued. “It tells you to go left when it’s in fact a bend or it tells the driver to drive straight across when there are crossroads.”

Mr Henson is planning on raising this with sat nav companies.

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said residents were able to apply for signs by visiting the council’s website or alternatively speak with their local councillor. who can then raise it at local area highways committee meetings.

He said: “Decisions on speed limits and road signage are ultimately made by the local committee for each district in the county.”