Community Speedwatch
Community Speedwatch
In last months we have been dealing with residents’ concerns relating to highways issues in Thorpe Astley.
The issues include:
- Parking on Foxon Way
- Speeding on Murby Way, Foxon Way, Meridian Way and Withers Way
- Air pollution from increased traffic
- Pedestrian safety on Meridian Way
We have been liaising with the Police concerning dangerous and obstructive parking and with Blaby District Council to improve air quality and work with businesses on Meridian Business Park to reduce employee parking in Thorpe Astley.
In order to reduce the speeding will also be locating our speed sign on the main roads in Thorpe Astley.
Additionally, as we have now collected over 220 valid signatures, we submitted a formal request to Leicestershire County Council asking them to open a Community Speedwatch scheme in Thorpe Astley and we have been alocated to run the scheme between 8/09/2018 - 21/09/2018.
What is Community Speedwatch?
Community Speedwatch (CSW) is a national initiative where active members of local communities join with the support of the Police to monitor speeds of vehicles using speed detection devices.
Vehicles exceeding the speed limit are referred to the Police with the aim of educating drivers to reduce their speeds. In cases where education is blatantly ignored and evidence of repeat or excessive offences is collated (even across county borders), enforcement and prosecution follow.
Speeding continues to be a concern for many communities in both rural and urban environments. Therefore, Community Speedwatch is not restricted to villages and rural towns. Neighbourhood Policing Panels have an important role to play in developing safer urban communities and the adoption of speedwatch schemes could assist them to more easily achieve their goals.
Volunteers receive appropriate training, and are supported by neighbourhood policing team (NPT) staff. The scheme aims to cater for the problem of real or perceived speed related offending, and through partnership with the community it is to be used in circumstances that are necessary, justifiable and proportionate in order to:
- Reduce death and injury on the roads
- Improve the quality of life for local communities
- Reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit
- Increase public awareness of inappropriate speed
Speedwatch activity is not about interfering with neighbours' behaviour; it is a proactive solution to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community.
How it works?
When a scheme is active in an area, it follows the process shown below.
