A couple has banned their three children from playing in the front garden amid fears that speeding cars could plough into their Telarah home again.
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Chris and Dana Ford have called on Maitland City Council to take action in Green Street near the Lions Street intersection to force cars to slow down.
“We are really scared that a bad accident will happen in Green Street near our home, just as it did before when a car slammed into our house in January, 2012,” Mr Ford said.
“There is no point in trying to lower the speed limit, which is already 50km/h,” Mr Ford said.
“We were considering asking council to install speed bumps.
“The cars mount a crest in Green Street near our house and we hear tyres screaming all the time.
“So in desperation, we have forbidden our children to play in our front yard, even though we have erected a strong fence.
“They are aged three, six and eight, but they are only allowed outside at the front of the house if we are with them and we can ensure no cars are coming past.
“We have lost count of the number of road accidents near our home and we hear tyres squealing and brakes screeching all the time, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Mr Ford said police patrols used to be seen regularly in Green Street.
“It was nothing to see a patrol car waiting around the corner to catch speeding drivers, but this has not happened for a long time," he said.
“The way things are going here, we are really scared another bad accident will happen, with someone being killed or seriously injured.
“I will never forget the smash in January 2012 when a car slammed into the front of our house, under our front window.”
Council infrastructure, planning and development engineering manager Stephen Hawes said: “Council investigates a number of service requests each year about road safety and speeding in local areas, often installing traffic counters to collect road use data and working closely with police who enforce speed limits.
“Residents can make a service request to council by calling customer services on 4934 9700.
“Investigations have previously been completed for Green Street, Telarah, which is one of the main access routes through the suburb.
“Installation of traffic calming devices such as speed humps is not considered appropriate for these types of high-volume streets.”
