RESIDENTS of a tiny hamlet say their lives are being put at risk every time they step outside their homes because of speeding motorists.

Doreen Wetzel, 72, whose disabled husband Leonard, at 86, is the oldest resident in Burley Woodhead, said she fears for their safety every time they use the Moor Road.

Mrs Wetzel, of Prospect Row, which has no pavement, said: "It is very dangerous. There are three of us pensioners here and we always liked a walk.

"But the traffic is getting bigger and faster. We are scared stiff, especially in the bright sun when you cannot see what is coming. My husband is deaf and he cannot go out without me to warn him.

"Young people at night go mad on these roads. If somebody was walking they would not stand a chance. It is very dangerous."

The couple are forced to rely on an access bus to take them to the supermarket once a fortnight as it would be impossible to walk. The couple have lived on Prospect Row all their married lives and share their home with Mrs Wetzel's brother, also called Leonard, aged 81.

The pensioner is not the only resident concerned about speeding traffic.

The Wetzel's neighbour, Stuart Quarmby, said: "The traffic is dreadful on our road, both volume and speed. The problem is that many of the houses here open straight onto the road.

"I live just by the Hermit pub. If I just want to pop for a drink I take my life in my own hands."

Residents are so afraid they are taking direct action to try and slow traffic down.

Many residents have pledged to club together to pay for a traffic engineer - and say they are more than happy to foot the bill of calling in the professionals.

Mr Quarmby said: "It is very dangerous. We are trying to get something done.

"It seems the council likes to help people who help themselves.

"So, rather than just badgering them we have got a traffic engineer to say what would work best to slow traffic."

The man behind the idea is Mike Travis, a resident and committee member of Burley Community Council.

Upon hearing of the resident's plight at a Neighbourhood Forum meeting of the council, Mr Travis garnered their help in finding a solution.

Mr Travis said: "As a result of the meeting we got together with a few of the residents to listen to what their concerns were.

"We then approached an engineer to see if he could help us and look at what could be done to put some traffic calming measures through Burley Woodhead."

A report, carried out by the police, also revealed startling results.

As many as ten per cent of drivers are travelling at speeds of more than 40mph.

Mr Travis said he shared the concerns of the residents.

He said: "The majority of the traffic up here is not that bad. The trouble is, it is spoilt by a few people who have absolutely no respect for the fact that they are driving through a small hamlet.

"There are one or two elderly residents who find it difficult because of the speed of traffic. A lot of the pavements do not have footpaths.

"There are also people with young families. It is a road that is used by a lot of walkers because it is close to the moor. There are also a number of stables."

Mr Travis said residents had also noticed a number of heavy vehicles, such as coaches, ignoring signs and using the narrow winding road.

A meeting for residents will be held at Burley Methodist Church Hall on Thursday, February 15.

It is hoped there will be a report back to residents on the findings of the consultation.