RESIDENTS on a busy main road targeted frequently by scrambler bike yobs have said it’s only a matter of time before a child dies on their ‘lawless street.’

Parents living near Moorfield Road in Widnes claim arrogant drivers have been regularly caught doing more than 100mph on the 30mph road, which is home to many young families and near two primary schools.

The three lane road is a popular route connecting Widnes to Liverpool,  but neighbours say it has become known as a hot spot for youths on scrambler bikes and dangerous  driving.

The problem is so bad that some are now putting their houses up for sale, while others said they had spent thousands of pounds on window insulation to block out the noise from cars racing at night.

One resident, 53-year-old Gary Clayton, was so concerned that he set up a community action group after witnessing a child almost get ran over.

Gary, who lives on Camberwell Park Road estate just off Moorfield Road, said: “I saw a car whizz round the junction into our estate and he just missed a child. He was going at about 60 miles per hour but starts abusing the child for it.

“I knew everybody was angry about the speeding, so I set up and action group and sent out about 350 leaflets to people living on estates in the area.

“The council promised to put two splitter islands in before and after the junction which would slow people down.

“We were fighting for this for years and they eventually agreed to do this by autumn – but nothing has been done.

“Our fear is a child or an elderly person could genuinely get killed.”

Office worker Gary has spent over a year emailing councillors about the issue and  requesting speed data, which shows  drivers are going as fast as 80 and 90 mph on a monthly basis.

Despite his campaigning efforts, promises to install splitter islands as a safety measure have fallen flat – and Gary has now been told they won’t be put up before Christmas.

In an email, Halton council leader Rob Polhill said he was 'disappointed' by the delays and blamed it on a lack of resources.

By 2020, the hard hit council will have lost £63m of government funding, which is 61 per cent of its income

But Gary said: “What’s a bit of concrete against a child’s life? We are going lawless. People can do what they want and go as fast as they want and get away with it.

“It’s not just yobs at night, it’s people speeding when they come home from work too.

“They’ve built new housing estates here. It’s getting busier and busier, but no one is taking into account the impact on the roads around it ”

Gary isn’t the only concerned resident.  His neighbours say  the issue is effecting hundreds of parents living in the estates off Moorfield Road.

Mum-of-three Louisa Rouskie, who has lived next door to Gary for 16 years said: “It’s all day every day – 40, 50 odd mile an hour or more. Even at school drop off and pick up time.

“It’s just horrible, it’s toe curling. My heart’s in my mouth every time my girls are on their bikes.

“They (drivers) come flying past like they’re constantly late for work.

“There’s not even a lollipop lady at the moment. I’ve heard a few mum’s saying they’ve had a few near misses because of the lay out of the road.

“It just takes a momentary lapse of concentration for someone to mount the kerb and hit a child.”

In an email sent to Gary today,  a traffic manager from Halton Council said action that would be taken included refreshing SLOW road markings, dragon’s teeth and rumble strips.

But residents say more needs to be done to address the 'dangerous' layout of the road.

Louisa’s partner, Dad-of-three Chris Hall said: “This is urgent. Every day I worry about it. You just hope and pray nothing happens when you see kids on their bikes and crossing the road.

“There’s at least 15 families on the estate with young kids. We’re all effected by this.”

A neighbouring teaching assistant, Nicola Stockdale said: “Cars cut the corners and they don’t stick to the speed limit. It’s a family estate.

“A lot of children live here. One day it’s going to happen and they’ll knock someone over. Heaven forbid what that might lead to then.”

Halton council were contacted for comment.