Residents concerned about their neighbourhood being used as a rat run are calling for motorists to slow down.

People living in Southill in Weymouth fear someone being 'really hurt' and say more needs to be done to tackle speeding in the area.

They have spoken out after three crashes were reported along Radipole Lane within the last few months.

One resident said: “It’s a concern because there have been quite a few accidents around here in the last few months and it won’t be long until someone gets really hurt.”

Residents and councillors alike believe tackling speeding could be a way to reduce the number of accidents in the area.

Councillor Pete Barrow, a councillor for both Dorset Council and Weymouth Town Council branded Radipole Lane a ‘rat run.’

He said: “There is a real issue with speeding along Radipole Lane. Lots of residents get in touch with me worried about speeding.”

He explained that ‘the expansion of Chickerell, the Granby and the construction of Aldi has impacted traffic in the area.’

Cllr Barrow said: “We have had a couple of serious accidents recently. The police need to be out there more often with their cameras which would reduce speeding, although it happens a lot at night, but would they be out there at night?

“We need speed calming measures like nearby areas like Dorchester Road and Upwey. It would help if everybody drove sensibly.

“We have tried to get a speed watch group together, but not with much luck as it relies on volunteers.”

Weymouth Town Councillor Christine James added her support for a community speed watch group.

She said: “You only need four volunteers for a community speed watch, and you can do it as little or as much as you want – it could be once a week or once a month.”

Cllr James has been a councillor for almost 20 years and suggested that speeding is one of the top three issues that people approach her about.

She added: “I teach people to drive for a living and every single lesson we get abuse from other drivers and either they are going too fast, or we are going too slow for their liking.

“If you’re held up in traffic, you can’t help it. There’s no need to speed or drive like an idiot.”

Following reports of a recent collision, a spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "Dorset Police are currently investigating the recent road traffic collisions along Radipole Lane.

"There may be several different factors that have caused the collisions, so it is important that the full circumstances of each are understood.

"Once collision details are verified by Dorset Police, these are shared with us to consider as part of our statutory responsibility to prevent collisions.

"If the report shows a need for any measures to be introduced then appropriate action will be taken."