As a resident of Chapeltown Road I have been campaigning for many months via my MP, councillor and traffic management to persuade the police and local authority to reduce traffic speeds on this busy route.

On the long downhill section to the north of Bromley Cross railway station, cars frequently speed at up to twice the legal 30 mph speed limit and both in an up and downhill direction. With Eagley Junior School and Turton School nearby, these traffic speeds must sooner or later be implicated in a serious accident.

A few months ago the highways department placed a digital speed sensor on the downhill section of this route which resulted in an immediate and dramatic reduction in traffic speeds in this direction.

Alas, this useful piece of kit was then removed to be placed in another location. When I enquired from traffic management as to the reason for this, I was informed that due to cost and the fact that after some weeks drivers ignored the sign, it could not be left as a permanent fixture.

I find this attitude strange when just over the boundary in Edgworth similar speed warning signs are permanent, in abundance, and from personal observations, extremely effective in reducing traffic speeds over an extended period.

The authorities cite the fact that this stretch of Chapeltown Road has had a record of only two accidents with injuries in recent years, as being reason for adopting a lower priority for speed management.

As a GP myself I have always adopted the principle that prevention is better than cure. Bearing in mind that a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian at 40 mph, let alone 60 mph is highly likely to kill that pedestrian, is it not time that speed management in this location should be given the priority it deserves?

Dr I G V James, Holmleigh, Chapeltown Road, Bromley Cross