Shropshire villagers trained to monitor law-breaking drivers

The new Community Speed Watch scheme, which is now up and running in Cross Houses, sees trained volunteers using hand-held speed devices.

Where vehicle speeds are found to be too fast, a letter is sent to the registered keeper by the police with the aim of encouraging them to reduce their speed.

Claire Wild, Shropshire councillor for the Severn Valley ward, said speeding was a "major concern" for residents in Cross Houses. She said: "Community Speed Watch has been well received and thanks should go to all of the volunteers who have given up some of their spare time to raise awareness of speeding in our village."

The project is being organised by Shropshire Council's community enablement team along with the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia and Warwickshire.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "While the scheme is already well established in Warwickshire, this is the first site in Shropshire. I'm delighted that the new scheme in Cross Houses has already been a huge hit, with community volunteers managing and running the scheme, which will help reduce vehicular speed."

Ian Connolly, from West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police's Safer Roads Team, said they were now looking to work with volunteers in other villages who want to set up similar schemes. The community enablement team ask for a minimum of six volunteers, but if more are forthcoming, they are happy to accommodate them.

Roger Evans, Shropshire councillor for Longden, said he hopes villages in his ward can be included in the scheme in the future.

He said: "Speeding in villages is of great concern to all residents in my area. I have long pushed for this to be introduced in Shropshire, and to have it here hopefully will help reinforce the message that drivers need to obey the speed limit."