Speeding Drivers caught by Villagers' Speedwatch

2.48.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st May 2009

Cllr Gareth Wilson using Speedwatch equipment to identify the extent of speeding in East Cambs Villages

Speeding drivers have been caught by villagers running their Speedwatch campaign.

The volunteers organised speed checks in Witchford, Wentworth and Witcham, monitoring the speeds of 450 vehicles.

During the four sessions, 73 drivers -16 per cent - were travelling faster than 37mph, including one at 50mph.

West Area Speedwatch Co-ordinator, Councillor Gareth Wilson said: "Speeding traffic is a big problem for our villages - many of which are used as rat-runs to the major routes. Speed kills and it is only a matter of time before there will be a serious accident. We need to act to make drivers realise the risks they are taking.

"Local people are always complaining to me about cars and lorries speeding through our villages. Now we can take some action to stop this."

Volunteers have been trained by Cambridgeshire Police to use the Speedwatch equipment designed to educate motorists to slow down when driving through villages.

Results of the speed monitoring will be fed back to the police and speeding drivers will be sent a warning letter, hand delivered by a police officer in cases of very high speeds.

If a particular speeding hot spot is found, police will mount their own speed checks and drivers will be prosecuted.

Ely Police Inspector Alan Savill told Haddenham villagers at their annual parish meeting that Speedwatch had already been successful in reducing speeds.

Now more volunteers are needed so that the scheme can be rolled out across East Cambridgeshire .

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Cllr Wilson at 2 Station Road , Haddenham, Cambs , CB6 3XD or by email at gareth.wilson@eastcambs.gov.uk