Could you make a difference to the safety of the roads in your community? Read below to find out how you may be able to take part….
Are you interested in volunteering to be a member of a Norton-juxta-Kempsey Community Speed Watch scheme?
At least 6 volunteers are needed for the scheme to be considered for to initiate the scheme in our Parish. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Clerk, Jane Greenway, 18 Corunna Close, Norton, WR5 2PW, njkparishclerk@aol.com or telephone 01905 763515/07955 756528.
With Community Speed Watch now in its eighth year of operation within West Mercia, local communities are being reminded about the scheme and how volunteers can get involved in speed monitoring and improve the quality of life in their area if speeding traffic is causing concern.
Community Speed Watch is a community driven road safety initiative, coordinated by West Mercia Police but managed and run by volunteers in the community. It involves 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.
The scheme was introduced within West Mercia in 2014 and has gone from strength to strength over the last 8 years with over 40 active sites currently operating. It was introduced to enhance the force’s speed enforcement strategy, by addressing community concerns in areas that do not meet either speed or collision criteria for police-led enforcement.
A Community Speed Watch scheme is initiated when ‘speeding traffic’ has been identified as a community road safety concern by a parish council or safer neighbourhood team. However, a number of criteria must be met before a scheme can be established:
- The area must have a 30mph or 40mph speed restriction.
- Speed data collected by West Mercia Police must show that speed levels in the area do not meet the national industry requirements for police enforcement.
- No other enforcement activity is currently in place.
- There must be at least six volunteers in each Community Speed Watch scheme.
- Speed checks must be conducted by at least three volunteers at any one time.
Superintendent Gareth Morgan, West Mercia Police said: “Excessive or inappropriate speed continues to affect the quality of life for many communities across West Mercia. As part of our continued support towards the Local Policing Charter, we are enabling local communities to take an active role in addressing concerns about speeding traffic.”
“The aim of the scheme is not to catch as many speeding drivers as possible, but to encourage them to drive within the speed limit. Feedback from active group members suggests that motorists visibly slow down when they see the volunteers by the roadside carrying out speed monitoring. In many local areas where Community Speed Watch is already in place, local residents have seen a positive change in driver behaviour and compliance with the speed limit and we look forward to replicating those results across more areas in the future.”
In areas where community concerns about speeding are raised, speed data will be collected by West Mercia Police to determine the nature of the problem and action will be taken accordingly. Any new Community Speed Watch schemes are evaluated periodically to ensure they are having a positive impact on vehicle speed, driver behaviour and community reassurance.
To raise concerns about speeding traffic, contact your local parish council in the first instance.
To find details of your safer neighbourhood team, visit www.westmercia.police.uk