Community Speedwatch has regrouped and is now operational again in Lockeridge, the small village about three miles to the West of Marlborough with a narrow through road, school, pub and a 20 mile an hour limit.
A small road it may be with minimal pavements for pedestrians to escape speeding drivers, and a history of a fatal accident from not many years ago, residents and school children can be taking their lives in their hands when stepping out to walk along the road.
It’s a perfect location for a 20mph limit. But only too frequently some drivers want to ignore the real hazards presented by this road and whizz through. Particularly in mornings. Not just cars – but vans, coaches, horseboxes by the yardfull and many HGVs will choose to drive through Lockeridge and many at a far greater speed than 20mph.
Sure, many drivers will pay attention to the hazards and respect the 20mph limit but unfortunately not all, and the Lockeridge Community Speedwatch team will be out regularly from now on – at different and irregular times and not on consistent days – and not always in the same places. But always wearing a High Viz jacket so that no speeding driver can ever say that they weren’t warned.
Details of speeding vehicles are sent to the Police who take appropriate action.
“It’s a real problem” said Parish Councillor Jill Turner who is co-ordinating the Lockeridge Community Speedwatch team. “Following a fatality in 2015 and the introduction of the 20 mph speed limit on all roads through the village in 2017, most drivers obey the law. However villagers are concerned about speeding vehicles and have set up a Community Speedwatch Team of volunteers with support from Wiltshire Police” she added.
During the first week of operation there were numerous vehicles identified going far in excess of the 20mph limit in dangerous places and also where they could see the HIViz adorned team holding what might appear to be hairdryers. But hairdryers with purpose….
Why is 20mph important in this type of area? Statistics and experience shows that in a 30mph collision there is a 20% chance of someone being killed, whereas if that vehicle’s speed at the point of collision were down to 20mph the likelihood of a fatality occurring drops to 2.5%, a big difference.
Jill added “The 20mph limit applies to all drivers and is clearly marked with signs in Lockeridge. Driving at 20 mph adds just a few more seconds to a typical journey. During the school holidays more people are out and about, cyclists, horse riders, walkers, children playing outside. A quiet village road is not an invitation to speed.”
A larger team will be a more effective team so more volunteers are always welcome. Interested? If so then contact Fyfield & West Overton Parish Clerk at parishclerk.fyfield@googlemail.com
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