Anti-speed campaigners have held two demonstrations to protest over the speed and amount of traffic using a Yeadon road.

Residents on Green Lane, Yeadon, stood with placards during the rush hour periods last Friday to alert the police and Leeds City Council to the traffic problems they are experiencing.

Member of the Green Lane Action Group, Stuart Andrew said: "We are protesting at the speed and volume of traffic on Green Lane, which has already cost several lives and witnessed many other accidents.

"We are now campaigning for something to be done to firstly reduce the traffic and secondly to re-route it and downgrade the road from primary route status.

"We decided that a protest with placards would be held on the roadside to highlight our plight and to encourage the traffic to slow down."

The residents have tried different methods of speed reduction on the road, the latest being parking their cars on the roadside in an attempt to slow traffic down.

But one car has been vandalised and shot at and residents are shocked that angry motorists would go this far.

Owner of the car, Lars Koerdt said: "The back window screen of my car was shattered and I found bullet holes in the metal work at the back and on the driver's door.

"I think is possible that this has been done by someone angry that we are parking our cars on the road.

"My neighbour saw it happening and the car they were in just sped off.

"It seems people are fighting back for their right to speed on the road.

"It is an act of sabotage. But I will put in new windows and put it out again."

The group has already been turned down by the Council in its attempts to have 30mph speed signs placed along the road and to get speed cameras installed.

Mr Andrew added: "The Action Group is appalled that the Highways Department is powerless to provide speed cameras.

"A letter from the department states that 'the criteria for the installation of safety cameras in West Yorkshire include the potential to reduce a speed-related accident problem.

"This is assessed by examining the accident record and the cut-off is a minimum of 6 injury-accidents in the previous 3 years.'

"'The accident record on Green Lane excludes it as a location for speed enforcement cameras.' But how many more must be killed to get something done?."

The Action Group is now writing to the Highways Department and the Police to meet with them to discuss the problems.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said: "As the road does not have a high accident rate, we are not able to put extensive traffic calming measures in place.

"Nevertheless, we are concerned about the situation and are considering the possibility of installing crossing facilities in the area."

Councillor Dr Makhan Thakur, who attended the protest, said: "It is becoming a dangerous road for the residents and action needs to be taken in order to voice their concern collectively."

l Meanwhile, traffic issues in Yeadon were due to be discussed at the latest meeting of the Westfield Tenants and Residents Association last night.

As previously reported in the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer, residents have feared that Westfield Avenue is fast becoming a race track and have demanded action.

Invitations to the meeting were also sent to West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council's Parks and Leisure Department and the Dog Warden Department to discuss a number of issues.