ROAD safety campaigners are calling for speed bumps to slow down boy racers in the Slaemuir estate in Port Glasgow.

Marilyn Cameron and Alastair Laing, of the tenants and residents' association, have slammed the drivers they say are turning the area into a danger zone.

Marilyn, who lives in Auchenbothie Road, says local roads have become like a race track.

She told the Telegraph: "I can hear these boy racers in their souped-up cars at all hours. There is going to be a serious accident if something isn't done."

Alastair, chair of the association, has experienced problems near his home in Marloch Avenue.

He said: "You can hear them racing right the length of the street.

"We have double the number of kids since the new houses were built and someone is going to be knocked down eventually."

He added: "There are lot more cars on the road now than when the scheme was built and measures need to be put in place to control the traffic."

He says a hotspot is Campsie Avenue, coming into Slaemuir Avenue, where drivers are risking their safety on a blind hill.

Mr Laing insists that 20mph speed signs that have been fitted are not enough.

He said: "A couple of years ago a wee girl was knocked down on Slaemuir Avenue when a driver tried to overtake a bus and she was left with serious head injuries.

"I asked councillors at the time to ask for a 20mph limit and speed bumps but was told that they couldn't action these things because it was on a major bus route.

"Then they put them in Lilybank, despite the fact buses go along there too.

"We need them in Marloch Avenue at the corner of Craigmarloch School and at Campsie Road off Slaemuir Avenue, as that's a blind corner."

Councillor Chris Curley says he will push to take the issue forward.

He said: “I thank Marylin and Alastair for raising this.

"The current 20mph signs in Slaemuir Avenue are advisory and are not able to be enforced. This is one of the reasons that myself and Cllr Jim Macleod have been pushing for a default 20mph speed limit in residential areas in Inverclyde. We are currently awaiting a report from council officers on the implications of adopting a default mandatory 20mph speed limit in residential areas.

"I have asked council officers to review the current speeding surveys undertaken on Slaemuir Avenue with a view to see whether further action may be warranted at this time. Where the speed signs are shown to be ineffective, I agree that traffic calming measures should be considered. I note, however, that there is substantial re-development ongoing in Slaemuir and it may be prudent to review speeding and the related parking issues once this development is completed, to ensure that any measures implemented are effective in the long term."

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “Speeding is a matter for the police who have the powers to enforce speed limits.

“We welcome feedback regarding our roads network and we take that into account when considering areas where improvements could be made.

“We have looked at roads in this area in recent years and in the last six months improved the crossing point on Marloch Avenue adjacent to Cromdale Road.

“We will add Slaemuir Avenue to the list of locations to be assessed, although if there is a particular road of concern we would ask residents to contact us directly and we will add that to our survey list.”