Police monitor school traffic in Ramshaw after child is hit

POLICE are monitoring people’s driving after a child was struck by a car near a village school.

Emergency services were called after a youngster was hit at Oaks Bank, near Ramshaw School, recently.

In an update to Evenwood parish council, police said there were no serious injuries and on this occasion the driver was not to blame. But parish clerk Martin Clark said: “The area is being monitored because of the speed of the traffic at the time of school opening and closing.”

Parish councillor Anne Lyons told colleagues: “Everybody has a car in the housing coming up the bank and they all park on the side of the road, so the traffic has to use the other side. It’s horrendous.”

The police update also gave details of concerns about someone causing a nuisance with an off-road bike or moped in the Evenwood area. In June, there were 15 complaints. Mr Clark said he was hopeful the culprit would be dealt with. He added: “The police have the number plates and there is a video.”

There were also two incidents of violence, a theft, criminal damage, one case of harassment and three complaints about people’s driving.

Meanwhile, weeds, overgrown trees and rats were a cause for concern. Members of the council complained that the footpath near Delaware Avenue was in a “dreadful state” despite council workers spraying weedkiller

Other bones of contention were overgrown hedges at Ramshaw and blocked drains. Rats had also been reported to North Star Housing after being spotted near the housing association’s premises.