VOLUNTEERS are lining up to help police speeding motorists in their communities.
More than 45 parishes have expressed an interest in the community speedwatch scheme launched by the Safer Roads Partnership earlier this year.
The pilot took place in Crowle near Worcestershire in May and was rolled out across West Mercia in August, with 12 communities waiting to come on board and speed data being collected in locations including Inkberrow.
The scheme sees residents joining together to monitor the speeds of vehicles using detection devices – known as speed guns – with anyone exceeding the limit referred to the police with the aim of educating drivers to reduce their speeds.
It is anticipated by late spring next year a minimum of ten schemes will be in operation with further ones to follow over the course of the summer depending on equipment, as there is currently only enough to equip 12 areas although some neighbouring villages can share.
Deputy chief constable Anthony Bangham told a recent Police and Crime Panel meeting activity had reduced as expected over recent months and would increase again in the spring with the warmer weather.
“We often find it’s not the speed but the volume of traffic. People think it’s speed because they find it difficult to cross the road then when the Safer Roads Partnership do the analysis around it they find the vehicles are not going too fast.” he said.
“Because the vehicles are coming so frequently they don’t have as much time between them to cross the road. Enforcement then doesn’t solve the problem.”
