RESIDENTS claim a Traffic order banning vehicles from using their village estate roads as a rat run is not working.

They say drivers are ignoring experimental prohibition signs, imposed last June in Craven Avenue, and creating dangers on the estate.

As a result, members of the Bradwell Road Action Group at Lowton put their complaints to councillors, council officers and police at a meeting called in Norwood Avenue last week to monitor the situation.

As a result the order will be discussed at the next meeting of the Traffic Management Unit and could be reviewed early -- within the next two months.

Cllr Lynne Liptrot, council cabinet member for the environment, was approached by residents of Norwood Avenue asking that, the director of engineering services, Mr Peter Taylor, attend a site meeting along with police to view the working of the order and take on board the views of residents.

Cllr Liptrot said: "The scale of the problem is scary. We watched traffic from about 4pm and it is obvious the experimental signage is not working. Some people are just ignoring the ban.

"The order comes to an end in June but I think the situation needs to be reviewed a bit earlier."

Ward councillor Peter Franzen was furious after being given only one day's notice of the meeting.

He said: "Councillor Peter Solinas and myself have been concerned about the order from the outset and, following numerous representations from concerned residents, during June 2003 in the absence of any public consultation we requested the immediate cancellation of the order.

"Also during June 2003 I requested a public meeting to discuss the issue and was told that there was no justification for the time, effort and expense of further extensive consultations and investigation.

"I am concerned and dismayed that our requests were ignored or refused by the department and that, without any prior consultation or contact whatsoever with Cllr Solinas or myself, a meeting was arranged at the request of Cllr Liptrot.

"The notice period of only one day provided to Cllr Solinas and myself was wholly inadequate and inexcusable."

"Cllr Liptrot does not represent the Lightshaw ward."