During a Police Forum held in the Reading Room in 2020 the issue of traffic not adhering to the speed limit in the village was raised by residents and it was suggested that Community Speed Watch was an appropriate way of monitoring speeds and doing something positive to address the issue and to try to improve safety in the village.
Since then, the Parish Council has been working with the Southam Safer Neighbourhood Team and Warwickshire Police, (there have been unavoidable delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and the non availability of funding for the provision of the equipment), to arrange for training for volunteers and also to complete the formalities necessary to enable us to start to monitor the speeds of traffic that travels through our village.
Community Speed Watch is an educational scheme to help people reduce speeding traffic though their community. The scheme enables volunteers to work within their community to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and to help control the problem locally.
Community Speed Watch incorporates poster campaigns and a pledge system linked to direct action using speed detection equipment all under the supervision of the County Council.
The use of the radar devices will not lead to initial prosecution. On the first two occasions where drivers are exceeding the speed limit drivers will get formal caution notices. On the third and subsequent occasions Warwickshire Police will consider whether it is appropriate to issue drivers with a formal speeding offence.
An appropriate site in the village for the monitoring of speeds to take place has been identified and the local police have undertaken a risk assessment.
Anyone who is interested in helping with this project is asked to contact the clerk and responsible financial officer.