To slow down drivers who pass, a homeowner makes a bird box which looks like a speed camera.

  • Mike Wrathmall of Billingham, County Durham was infuriated by speeding
  • A 44-year-old woman said that wildlife had visited the fake camera as an additional bonus
  • It was made of wood by Mr Wrathmall, who painted it yellow and grey to look like one.










One homeowner created a bird box to slow down cars passing by.

Mike Wrathmall of Billingham County Durham made the decision amid fury over race car drivers.

The 44-year-old said an added bonus was wildlife had flocked to the structure poking out over his fence.

Mr Wrathmall created the fake camera out of wood and painted it grey and yellow to look like a traffic calming measure.

Mike Wrathmall from Billingham, County Durham, took the drastic measure amid outrage over racing motorists

Mike Wrathmall, Billingham County Durham took this drastic step amid anger over the racing drivers

The 44-year-old said an added bonus was wildlife had flocked to the structure poking out over his fence

He added that wildlife was visiting his structure to peek over the fence, which was a bonus for him at 44 years old.

Teesside Live heard from him: “We have people that go way over the speed limit, and then we have people with a lot of zooming up and down.

“Residents have tried for many years to achieve something, but nobody has ever succeeded.” “I’m afraid that one day there’ll be a crash.

He added: ‘One day someone’s going to have an accident and it will be a proper accident, the speeds that they go.’ 

Although it’s discouraged by the police, this tactic isn’t illegal. However, some homeowners were able to do it without any consequences.

However, they can be done by local councils if the latter decides to bring civil action against any landowners who violate its rights.

Fake speed camera signs can land you in serious trouble.

Mr Wrathmall created the fake camera out of wood and painted it grey and yellow to look like a traffic calming measure

The fake camera was made out of wood by Mr Wrathmall and painted yellow and grey to look like trafficcalming measures.

According to Mr Wrathmall, small birds had been able to flood the area as a result of his efforts.

According to him, he saw a lot of Blue Tits using the box as a home and feeding it.

Cleveland Police spokesmen said that they are involved in community speed enforcement and have deployed mobile speed cameras to this area.

“We don’t investigate this matter for an offence, however we would encourage anyone experiencing speeding problems to call 101 and report it to us immediately to help us take appropriate enforcement actions.” 

Advertisement