KENDAL police officers have launched an operation targeting irresponsible motorists.

After local residents identified an issue with drivers ignoring road signs, officers launched an operation to educate drivers and enforce the law when important traffic signs at a dangerous junction in Kendal are ignored.

On Monday and Tuesday, Kendal officers teamed up with the Road Policing Unit to launch a high-visibility policing operation at the junction of Windermere Road with Stricklandgate and Maude Street.

Fourteen fixed penalty tickets were issued - costing each driver £30.

Police Community Support Officer Nicky Yates said: “We have been told by our local community about a long standing issue where motorists travelling south along Windermere Road ignore traffic signs and turn right into Maude Street or straight on into Stricklandgate.

“Drivers that make these illegal manoeuvres are contravening road signs that prohibit them and we have received a number of complaints about near misses involving pedestrians and other vehicles.

“This is a dangerous junction and this Operation was launched to raise awareness of the seriousness of the issue.

"Road traffic signs are there for a reason and we hope that this Operation will deter others from driving dangerously and inconsiderately in the area.”