Speed warning sign that was once too sensitive now doesn’t work at all.

Action is needed to fix a faulty speed detector sign on a 30mph road used as a rat run in Honiton.

That is the view of town councillor Sharon Pavey, who says vehicles are “hurtling” along Battishorne Way “at ridiculous speeds”.

Speaking at a meeting of Honiton Town Council last Monday, she asked for the matter to be looked into and said she feared lack of a working sign could pose a safety risk to pedestrians as well as motorists.

She said the sign had not been working for weeks.

When it was first installed, the sign was so sensitive it flashed at drivers going well below the speed limit. The town council and the police have reported the matter to Devon County Council and are awaiting a response.

Following the meeting, Councillor Pavey said: “I am very concerned about the speed detector sign not working and have raised this issue several times now.

“The risk of fatality in pedestrians increases rapidly when hit by a car travelling above 30mph, according to ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).

“The risk is 3.5 to 5.5 times higher and car drivers being killed in frontal collisions with another vehicle also increases with speed.

“It took a long time and was quite costly to get these detectors installed and they’ve not been working over the summer holidays.

“This is the time when more children were crossing the road to the nature reserve and play park. They’ve lowered the kerbs to make it easier to cross but vehicles are still hurtling down there at ridiculous speeds.”