RESIDENTS in Grosmont say it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured by speeding traffic.

Several of them attended the meeting of the Bryn Y Cwm area committee at Grosmont Town Hall and appealed for help in curing the problem.

One mother said: "Our concerns have been brought to the attention of the community council, as we feel local drivers are causing the problems. We think it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured."

They were advised by Cllr Robin Griffiths to form an action group like Grosmont Residents Against Speed, to log every incident they saw and then contact Gwent Police to highlight them.

Cllr Giles Howard agreed and said they should carry on lobbying the police. He said some residents in Gilwern were clubbing together to buy a fixed speed camera.

Area manager Dale Roberts said he would raise the subject at the next REDPOP crime initiative meeting and urged the residents to complete a form so he could raise the concerns with Superintendent Joy Lott, the divisional commander of Gwent Police.

Cllr Brian Hood added: "We don't see the police in rural areas, big cats are more common. You can put notices up to slow down the traffic, but often the problems are caused by local drivers. I think peer pressure has the greatest effect. Go up to them and tell them they nearly hit a child. This approach certainly works with someone who allows their dog to foul a public place."

It was agreed to pass on the problem to the REDPOP meeting and to the environment select committee.