A crafty tradesman has made an ingenious addition to his front garden to warn off fast cars by creating a fake speed camera for just £30.
Mike Rathmell, built the ‘bird box’ which is a dead ringer for a real speed camera at the end of his front lawn, to put off passing cars who he claims ‘zoom up and down’ the street.
The 44-year-old decided to take the matter into his own hands after numerous attempts to get the local authorities to improve road safety on his street.
Mike says the speeding cars were becoming a danger to the nearby primary school and nursery.
Now the accident management firm worker is keen to show off his creation, which was constructed from ‘a few fence boards, a post and some paint’.
A real result for Mike is his claim that the 'camera' has worked by outfoxing several drivers, as well as doubling as a bird box which has attracted some blue tits to his garden.
“It was not expensive, it probably only cost about £30,” said Mike, who has two children, Grace, five, and 10-year-old Mahala.
“It is really a bird box, not just a fake camera. I had to do something about the speed of the driving on the road. You see people doing twice the 30mph limit.
“If I stop one of them, then I think it is worth it.” The ‘bird box’ camera has become something of a tourist attraction as people stop to take photos.
Mike added: “There are two schools nearby, there are kids going back and forth, and there is a junction where people really struggle to pull out because of the traffic.
“They are going at ridiculous speeds, next to a housing estate. The council put up a speed notice sign. But that seems to encourage the boy racers.
“I just wanted to make people think twice, that is what I was hoping for.”
The fake camera sits on a grey pole inside his garden fence, and he has noticed cars slowing down when they see it, according to Chronicle Live.
His wife Victoria, 42, a bank worker, backed the idea. Her car was written off two years ago when a car hit the back of it while it was parked outside the property.
“I am not sure where we stand legally,” added Mike. “I know there are other cases where they have been taken down. But I did it to raise awareness of the problem.”
Three years ago, another enterprising homeowner, Jim Dyke, constructed a fake camera for £25 in Clows Top, Worcs.
A carpenter by trade, Jim built the realistic camera in just three hours using one drain pipe, screws, a gutter fitting, plywood, yellow paint and a mirrored beer mat.
Fake speed cameras are not illegal, but police do not encourage them.
Councils can take civil action if they are placed on their land.
The road outside the Wrathmall home is in the Stockton-on-Tees council area.
Councillor Mike Smith, their Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “In response to concerns raised by residents in 2016/17, we installed a 30mph vehicle activated sign, ‘slow’ road markings and hazard warning signs on Wolviston Back Lane.
“We have not been made aware of any further concerns from residents, but we are of course always happy to consider any that do come through.”
