By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 11:28, Saturday, 09 February 2013

Commuters travelling to Sellafield are being warned to watch their speed when a crackdown comes into force next week.

Police will tackle speeding and other traffic offences on the commuter route to the nuclear site in west Cumbria.

Residents living in villages like Beckermet, Ennerdale, Kirkland, Seascale and St Bees have long highlighted that speeding is an issue.

Sellafield Ltd, who operate the site, have issued several notices to staff encouraging them to drive safely and carefully when coming to and going home from work, but feedback from villagers suggests a problem still exists.

A campaign to tackle the issue begins on Monday, jointly supported by Copeland police and the newly-formed Sellafield Policing Unit, which consists of officers from Cumbria Constabulary.

It will run during February, with officers situated in prime locations on the roads. Their aim will be to catch those who are speeding, using their mobile phones while driving or driving vehicles which are unfit to be on the roads.

Sergeant Mike Quigley said: “Our aim is to help reduce the amount of people who are seriously injured or killed on our roads. Speeding is a contributory factor in road-related collisions and by tackling the problem now, we hope to prevent a serious collision which could result in someone being killed.

“We are working closely with officers from both Copeland and Sellafield Policing Unit as the road network which is being targeting is one of the main commuter routes for staff at Sellafield.

“Our aim is to send out a clear message, reduce your speed, pay full attention to the road when driving and maintain your vehicle. It is these basic things that could potentially save your life.”

First published at 11:12, Saturday, 09 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk