SPEEDING tractor drivers are proving a menace in the rural village of Billington. Tractors and their drivers cause more accidents on our roads than young speeders. A Billington Councillor has called for speed cameras to quell “horrendous” speeding on the main road through the village. Ribble Valley Borough Councillor, Ged Mirfin, who represents Billington, Brockhall and Old Langho has repeatedly raised the issue with police of speeding along Whalley New Road in particular and “would love” to see permanent speed cameras on the main roads in and out of the village.
Councillor Mirfin says the problem exists at all hours of the day but the situation has worsened with farm traffic during the spring and summer months, especially early in a morning. Councillor Mirfin states,, “It’s particularly horrific at this time of year with great big agricultural vehicles going like bats out of hell through the centre of the village. It’s horrendous.”
Councillor Mirfin continues, “I would love to see a whole series of photographic speed cameras with number plate recognition on the main road through Billington. Sadly I don’t think we can trust drivers to obey the speed limit. What concerns me is young children running out into the road or elderly drivers coming in the opposite direction that don’t know the width of their own car.”
According to Councillor Mirfin, “The new generation of giant super tractors seem to have gotten worse. They are probably built for some American farm intensive style farming and not for the UK roads. The balloon tyres on Super Tractors are tricky, they tend to bounce around a lot. This type of tyre is designed for low speeds. High-speed tractors have different limits, as they comply with HGV road regulations, meaning they are allowed to travel up to 65kmph (40mph) on UK roads.
To comply with HGV regulations, vehicles have to be fitted with suspended axles at the front and rear, disc brakes on all four corners, dual-line anti-lock braking system, fail-safe steering and measure less than 2.55m wide. Of the tractors on the market, brands such as JCB’s Fastrac and Mercedes’ Unimog fall into the high-speed tractor bracket. Not too many Farmers have Fastrac tractors as they are so expensive. That is usually the contractors.
Councillor Mirfin has previously voiced his concern about speeding traffic in the early morning and twilight hours and Is calling, once again for new signs to be put up on Whalley New Road, where a number of residents and motorists have reported problems to him.
According to Councillor Mirfin, with access to St. Leonard’s Primary School, and St Augustine’s RC High School both off a short distance off Whalley New Road there’s an accident waiting to happen. He added: “These tractors are designed for the plains of North America not narrow English roads. Huge trailers are designed to maximise volume and tractors pulling them are invariably driven by 15 or 16-year-olds. It’s absolute mayhem.”
Councillor Mirfin continues, “Whalley New Road has a 30mph limit. It’s not an A road and 70% of properties along the road are terraced meaning parking is at a premium. If you look at Whalley New Road, it is entirely lined with parked cars further narrowing the road width.”
Councillor Mirfin further continues, “To find a road traffic police officer let alone one with a speed gun is nigh on impossible. I remember asking why we couldnt have one in our village and got told that speeding is the biggest complaint in rural areas.”
Villagers fear the tractors, which have been spotted dashing along Whalley New Road far in excess of the 30mph Speed Limit could cause an accident involving pupils from the two schools in the village.
Councillor Mirfin says he has received a number of complaints about the problem from residents. He added: “The drivers of these tractors need to remember that there are schools on the road and they should to be more careful. This is a serious problem that will end up with somebody seriously injured or killed by young kids driving huge tractors. It tends to be younger lads who are driving the tractors, there is no doubt about it, and it is a concern. And they can travel at more than 30mph even with trailers attached - BUT they cannot stop like a car or normal sized tractor.Young lads ripping at 50kmph with big weights is a recipe for disaster. Impact at 45kmph breaking speed has over twice the energy as impact at 30kmph breaking speed. Residents have reported witnessing numerous near misses when tractor drivers have hit the brakes and end up on the pavement to avoid hitting pedestrians or oncoming traffic especially emerging from side roads or leaving parking bays outside their homes.”
Councillor Mirfin continues, “The speeds these monster machines go is outrageous!!!!! Their speeds need to be brought to 20mph.not 40. The Speed Limit is 30mph but they are capable of much more. 50mph is not uncommon!! The problem is thus far no vehicles have been stopped for speeding. That’s because they are not deterred by the presence of speed cameras.”
Tractors weighing more than 7.5 tonnes can travel at 40mph on a single track road and at 50mph if they weigh less than 7.5 tonnes. Speed limits for tractors have been increased from 20mph to 25mph, while the weight that they are allowed to carry has risen from 24.39 tonnes to 31 tonnes.
Councillor Mirfin urges any witnesses to Speeding Tractors to get in touch with the police with details.
Councillor Mirfin concludes, “A change in the law is required. If folk want heavier & faster "road tractors" then they should have to come under the same standards as commercial good vehicles - i.e. full HGV MOT, operators license, driving licence requirements, working hours, tacho and use only white diesel. If they are doing what is essentially haulage then they should have to follow the haulage rules. And the current tractor test for a 16 year old is an absolute joke. I fail to see how you can go from driving around the yard to driving on the road with no concepts of how much speed makes a difference and how much a tractor with weight on either trailed or mounted trailers can affect the handling let alone the other road rules! The trouble is that the majority of speeders are in their thirties or forties and they are all driving on a car license so have probably had no formal training in driving what is essentially a HGV - albeit limited to lower speeds.”