New Community Speed Watch scheme up and running
Shropshire Council’s community enablement team, in conjunction with the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia and Warwickshire, have established the county’s first Community Speed Watch scheme in Cross Houses.
Community Speed Watch schemes involve trained volunteers from the community monitoring the speeds of vehicles with approved, hand-held speed measurement devices. Where vehicle speeds are found to be inappropriate, a letter is sent to the registered keeper by the police with the aim of encouraging them to reduce their speed when driving in the future.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:-
“While the scheme is already well established within Warwickshire, this is the first site in Shropshire. I’m delighted that the new scheme in Cross Houses has already been a huge hit, with community volunteers managing and running the scheme, which will help reduce vehicular speed in the area.”
Claire Wild, local Shropshire Councillor for Severn Valley, said:-
‘‘Speeding traffic is a major concern for local residents in Cross Houses. Community Speed Watch has been well received and thanks should go to all of the volunteers who have given up some of their spare time to raise awareness of speeding in our village.”
Ian Connolly, from West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police’s Safer Roads Team, is delighted that Shropshire residents are willing to get involved in the scheme, and stated:
‘‘We have had a high level of interest in our Community Speed Watch scheme across the whole West Mercia force area, and are working with a number of parishes to set up groups.
‘‘Cross Houses is the most recent area to start a group, and we’re working with volunteers in Pontesbury, Hanwood and Ford to introduce the scheme there too. We ask for a minimum of six volunteers to form a group, but if more are forthcoming we’re more than happy to accommodate them.”
The community enablement team will now continue to work with communities in Pontesbury, Hanwood and Ford to create similar schemes in these areas.
Roger Evans, local Shropshire Councillor for Longden, stated:
‘‘Speeding in villages is of great concern to all residents in my area, and the issue I get most complaints about. I have long pushed for this to be introduced in Shropshire, and to have it here hopefully will help reinforce the message that drivers need to obey the speed limit. We all want to walk around and enjoy our lovely surroundings without fear of being involved in a road traffic accident. Children want to ride their bicycles safely, and again this should make it safer for them to do this. I am also hopeful that villages in the Longden division can be included in this scheme soon.’’
Anyone who is interested in joining Community Speed Watch as a volunteer in any of these areas should contact david.fairclough@shropshire.gov.uk, tel 01743 252483 and quote ‘Community Speed Watch’.
