RESIDENTS who claim speeding motorists are using Alveston as a rat-run are demanding police action.

Villagers say the area is being used as a short cut by commuters heading for work in Thornbury during the morning rush hour.

They claim drivers are turning off the A38 onto Greenhill Road to avoid the traffic lights at the top of Thornbury Road.

Lesley Forrest, an Alveston resident, said: "It is a concern for residents but we have not seen much action from the police.

"Motorists appear to come from the A38 and speed through the centre of the village. They seem to do it to avoid the traffic lights.

"They go through at quite a speed with no regard for those who live in Alveston."

The concern was raised at the latest Thornbury Safer Stronger Community Group meeting, which was held this week in the town.

Another Alveston resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I think speeding through Alveston has become a leisure activity. They use the roads as a circuit so they have something to do."

At the meeting PC Neil Whyman, of Thornbury Police Station, reassured the residents that speeding in Alveston was being looked at.

He said: "I know that the road policing unit has been to Alveston conducting speed checks and we will continue to do this."

Cllr Neil Halsall, South Gloucestershire councillor for the Thornbury North ward, said: "I think we need to talk to the highways people. These motorists need to be slowed down and pointing a speed gun at them isn’t necessarily the answer.

"I think we need to consider speed bumps, or some other technology that is available."

South Gloucestershire Council said it will conduct a traffic survey of the village.

It was also suggested that a community speed watch team be set up with local volunteers, who would regularly monitor traffic speeds.