PEOPLE whose pets have been killed by drivers using their streets as a rat-run fear a child could be next.

Several family pets have died under the wheels of vehicles taking short cuts to avoid traffic jams in Wyke Regis, Weymouth.

Devastated Janice Grubb lost her cat to a speeding car using the Downclose Estate to cut past long queues caused by roadworks on Portland Road.

Now she and fellow residents of Hillbourne and Doncaster roads area fear that a child could be next.

Grandmother Janice, 48, of Hillbourne Road, said: “It’s a complete death trap when the local kids are crossing the road.

“I’m surprised none of them have been hit before now.

“I know people will say it’s only a cat, but I want them to be aware it could be a child next time.”

Residents are warning that traffic has become a nightmare as more motorists use the estate as a short cut as the jams build up from resurfacing works.

The works are taking place over three weeks on Portland Road.

Waitress Janice’s pet, a grey and white pet called Cat, was killed by a 4x4 vehicle on the estate.

She said that her cat was dragged along the kerb in Hillbourne Road by the vehicle, and that the driver offered no help or apology.

Residents said the death came after two other cats and a dog were killed by motorists in the street.

Janice said she wouldn’t dare allow her five grandchildren to play in the street.

She said: “We have got a big green between Hillbourne Road and Doncaster Road and all the local kids play there but I won’t let my grandchildren play in that road.

“People just don’t think.

“They come bombing down the hill and they don’t even seem to think that a child could dart out from between the cars.”

Neighbour Jane Schofield, 51, of Hillbourne Road, has also lost her cat to a car in the street.

Mrs Schofield, who lives with her nine-year-old grandson Ethan, said: “I won’t let him cross the road on his own. I stay in the window and watch him playing on the green because drivers shoot down Hillbourne Road.”

The residents are calling for traffic calming measures to make sure a child is not made to pay the price for motorists cutting a few seconds off their journey time.

Bus driver Tom Gulliver, 69, of Hillbourne Road, said: “We have to see our grandchildren across the road and see them back again, because that’s how bad it’s got.”

Neighbour and grandmother-of-nine Janet Tizard, 68, added: “If our grandchildren come here, they stay with us in the garden. I don’t even let them over there now.”

Tim Munro, vice-chairman of Dorset County Council’s roads and rights of way committee and ward councillor for Wyke Regis, said: “I think it is always difficult when you have got major re-surfacing, and it’s excellent it’s being done because the condition of the road was pretty poor.

“It’s extremely unfortunate there has been an accident involving a cat. I’m sure even if there is an increase in road use, most road users will drive sensibly.”

“I am sure now the county council has been alerted to this they will do the appropriate thing.

“I’m sure as is common with many residential areas traffic does travel too quickly and if it’s the case, the authorities will put in traffic calming initiatives.

“As ward councillor I will take that on board and see what proposals can be brought forward.”