Speedwatch

 

 

Speedwatch & Speeding

May 2011

With the, hopefully temporary, dissolution of Speedwatch this column is now focusing on information concerning speeding throughout the village. We are fortunate that Northamptonshire Police continue to use their speed enforcement camera van on a regular basis (at present around once a month). They continue to 'catch' people - at a speed sufficient that those registered drivers will receive paperwork to their homes for going faster than the 30mph road signs allow.

 

The latest statistics available are:

March 2011 – 13 speeders caught

January 2011 – 10 speeding motorists caught

November 2010 – 9 motorists caught

October 2010 – 2 speeding motorists caught

September 2010 – 23 speeding motorist caught. One travelling at 45 and one at 47 mph who will have a £60 fine and 3 points on their licence.


If there are any concerns regarding speeding throughout Croughton then please contact the Safer Community Team and the Parish Council.

April 2011

It was with great sadness that we learnt on 31st March 2011 that Speedwatch had become one of the casualties of government cuts. So until further pennies are available the village will not have the amazing band of volunteers who help track those inconsiderate motorists who insist on using our roads to speed through to their destination. How much time do they truly save versus the chance of hitting a villager who is out walking the pavements or trying to cross the road? The Parish Assembly Speedwatch address had to be changed and can be read via the link to the left of this notice. Thank you to all the villagers who have supported us during the last three years. Hopefully we will be back in the not too distant future!

 

 

Speedwatch 2011

What is Speed Watch?

Community Speed Watch is a partnership initiative operating in Northamptonshire using the combined efforts of the local Police, County Council and local residents, in association with ACRE (Action with communities in rural England). By working together, Community Speed Watch enables local people to become actively involved in helping to low traffic down through the area.

    The aims of Community Speed Watch

  • To reduce excessive speeds in the local area

  • To change people's attitudes towards speeding

  • To create a safer community

  • To empower communities to work in partnership with road safety agencies.

History of Croughton Speedwatch involvement.

In 2008 Croughton Parish Council had continued to request help from the police concerning the minority of thoughtless drivers who speed through the village. We were given details of the Speed Watch project and it was quickly agreed that if residents would support it, this initiative was vital to our village. We needed to obtain signatures from 20% of the village to show their commitment before we would be considered for the project and within a week we had passed this total! It was not long before we were signed up and had become part of the ever expanding group of Northamptonshire villages who have decided they wanted to help reduce speeding.

What benefits do Croughton receive?

  • Regular awareness and dangers of speeding in villages

  • Regular use of a hand held speed gun for use by locally trained residents

  • Equipment and safety training, site assessments, high visibility clothing and literature

  • Use of portable Speed Indicator Devices

  • High visibility Community Speed Watch boards for erection on lamp posts/telegraph poles

  • Visits form the safety camera mobile unit

What happens to drivers that Community Speed Watch volunteers 'catch' speeding?

We are not the police so we cannot issue speeding tickets. The data we collect goes to the Police and after our information is checked through the Police data base by them, the driver is sent a Police warning letter advising them of their speed, the date and time. Should they be caught a second time, they will receive another letter and if a third time then the driver will receive a visit from the police.

Speed Watch volunteers

As a volunteer you are trained by the Police to use the laser speed gun with the associated safety issues and paper work surrounding its use. This is carried out on a Saturday morning at Brackmill, Northampton. Attendance at this training is compulsory from an insurance view point and so if you are unable to attend then unfortunately you are unable to become part of our team for that year. Don't worry – if you are available for the following year you will be much welcomed!

Croughton Speed Watch team have the equipment for 3 weeks in a 6 week period. We are teamed up with another local village and we carry out Speed Watch on e.g. weeks 1,3,5 and they would have it for weeks 2,4 & 6. We do not have a choice when we have the equipment, this being decided by the police co-ordinator. So one year it may be at the beginning of the speed gathering year with some restrictions put on us because of day light hours, other times may be in the summer but have bank holiday or school holiday times involved which will result in reduced traffic flows. Each year times are different so all villages have a change.

Interested in becoming a Croughton Speed Watch volunteer?

You will need to be available to attend the training session this year

On: Saturday 30.07.11 at 10.00 – 12.30 (approx)

Venue: Unit 9, Sketty Close, Brackmills, Northampton NN4 7PL


Following that you will need to be available at some time during Speed Watch weeks. The amount of time you give is completely up to you – anything from 2 hours* a day to 2 hours* a week for 1- 3 weeks. So, if you work then we'd happily see you at 06.00 or after work at 18.00; if you have children and can only manage during school hours then again we can accommodate with you; those who are too busy during the week due to life then there is always a maximum 2 hour* slot for you on a Saturday and/or Sunday.

You will always be teamed with one or two people depending on your experience. So if you are a 'newbie' - have no fear support is here!


*Due to ease for the Co-ordinator, cover is allocated in 2 hour slots. You do not have to do the whole 2 hours – timings are arranged between you and the others in your group.


We are a great bunch of villagers from all walks of life. So it's a good natter as you 'work', as you get to know other Watchers who you've perhaps never seen/chatted to in the village. Whilst there is a serious reason for carrying out Speed Watch we try very hard to have fun as well. We also have some excellent support from people who are unable to be a Speed Watchers and hot drinks can mysteriously appear from nearby houses to keep us going.



Croughton villagers, your time we need

To help us slow down those that speed

Through our village without a thought

Travelling over 30, we want them caught !!

Volunteer yourselves to assist

To stop those people who persist

When seeing speeders we always frown

So come and join us to slow them down !!!

                                                                                                                                       By Lyn – Speed Watcher

Still interested?

Then we'd love to hear from you.

Email: Lesley – Speed watch co-ordinator – lesley.ramsay@googlemail.com

or Telephone: Brian – Speed Watch deputy co-ordinator on 01869 810124


What else is happening to slow traffic in Croughton?

  1. Community Speed Watch boards are placed in different areas throughout the village for about 5 weeks, 3 times a year.

  2. Speed indicator device (SID)

  3. Interactive speed indicator signs (ISIS)

  4. Vehicle activated signs (VAS). Croughton Parish Council have worked very hard in procuring these signs which will be finally positioned at Blenheim and near Church Lane. Please look out for further details in the Newsletter but it is expected that they will be fitted within the next few weeks.