Traffic problems in Saltash have created such congestion that a warning has been issued that motorists who are refusing to stop for the lollipop crossing person are risking a speeding penalty – or worse.

County school crossing patrol co-ordinator, Heather Stripp, said the school crossing patrols are 'finding it harder and harder to cross the children in safety because the cars are just refusing to stop. The speeds at which they are travelling are endangering the lives of pedestrians and school crossing patrols as well as themselves.'

Traffic conditions in Saltash have been worsening because of the restrictions through the Saltash tunnel due to the landslip. Drivers have been trying to make up time by speeding through the town's streets at the same time that hundreds of children are making their way to school.

The county said the problem has become so severe that the police were called in last week to monitor the traffic using hand held speed cameras. They have decided they will carry out random speed checks in the future because of the failure by motorists to acknowledge and respect the speed limits set, and the 'compulsory stop' sign carried by the patrols.

Heather said: 'It just means giving up two minutes of their time to help keep children safer. I would like to ask drivers to please take care on the roads and give two minutes to save a life.'