RESIDENTS whose pets have been killed on a busy Wey-mouth road have called for speed bumps before a child is knocked down.
Devastated Sharon McManus has lost two cats in three days in Camp Road, Wyke Regis, and claims both drivers were speeding.
Disabled Mrs McManus said the volume of traffic has trebled since Value House opened nearby five years ago and joyriders speed along the road at night.
She and her neighbours fear a child could be next and are demanding action before a tragedy happens.
She said: “Since Value House has been here cars are using this road like a motorway and now we’ve got joyriders at night.
“There have been so many animals killed and kids nearly getting run over.
“We need speed bumps like in other roads or it could be a child next.”
The 44-year-old will not let her five-year-old grandson Kieran go outside on his own.
“Cars mount the pavement to get past so it’s not worth the risk,” she said.
Neighbour Deborah Bailey, 40, has lost two cats in the past year and her dog was knocked over last month but survived.
The mother-of-two said: “This road is an absolute death trap.
“They need to put speed bumps in before someone gets killed.
“My grandson lives with me and it only takes one of my kids leaving the door open and he will run out.
“I dread to think what’s going to happen. The road is going to take a kid’s life sooner or later.”
Mrs McManus’s six-month-old tabby and tortoiseshell cat Cassie was killed on Friday night, and three days later her six-month-old tabby and white cat Tallulah was run over.
The mother-of-four has three other cats – one of which was knocked over two years ago but survived – and two 11-week-old kittens.
“I’m seriously thinking about re-homing the kittens because I’m petrified they’ll get run over too,” she said.
Value House general store manager Lee Mitchell said they would support any traffic calming measures.
He said: “I won’t deny traffic has increased because the site was derelict and unused before we arrived.
“We have rejuvenated it and added employment to the area and unfortunately for this lady and her cats there is more traffic movement along Camp Road as a result.”
Mr Mitchell said the store had spoken to Dorset County Council in the past about improving traffic flow.
Coun Tim Munro, chairman of the council’s roads and rights of way committee and ward member for Wyke Regis, said no problems have been brought to the attention of the council or the police, and has urged worried residents to get in touch.
He said: “Unfortunately, animals that are not on leads are prone to being knocked down and I’m not sure that’s particularly to do with speed of vehicles. It’s to do with lack of road awareness from the animals.
“There’s always a possibility of road humps and highways would have to do a traffic investigation and measure speed.”
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