Days Numbered For Speeding Motorists

8.19.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 28th Jul 2007

Your local Liberal Democrat Team in conjunction with the area's Neighbourhood Watch Scheme have recently launched a joint community project called Heath Hayes and Wimblebury Speedwatch, aimed at tackling the worrying and dangerous problem of speeding motorists. For sometime now people have been understandably concerned about the excessive speed at which some motorists drive on the area's roads, our man on the spot Councillor Chris Collis, fully understands these anxieties and as usual has been swift to act on behalf of the communities concerned.

Typical Speedwatch Scheme in Action

Scheme organisers will endeavour to recruit a sufficient number of volunteers from the villages of Heath Hayes and Wimblebury, whom will be trained in the safe operation of a hand held laser gun to enable them to check the speed at with a vehicle is being driven. Project members will also be taught how to perform their duties in a professional manner from a road safety aspect, plus all volunteers will be supplied with high visibility jackets and the road being checked will be well signed to warn motorists of the approaching speed check area. The scheme will initially concentrate on the Wimblebury Road, John Street, Hednesford and Cannock Roads, as these are the routes that the majority of people have complained about, anyone caught speeding by the volunteers will be sent a warning letter by Police, but will not be issued with a fine or receive any penalty points on their licence.

Councillor Collis, who is Cannock Chase Council's Safer and Stronger Communities Leader said, "Speedwatch has worked extremely well in other areas similar to Heath Hayes and Wimblebury, there is a huge amount of evidence to prove that comparable initiatives have resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of vehicles that are driven inappropriately and clearly persuades people to drive more responsibly. This is a multi agency approach set up to encourage local residents to work together and take proactive action to tackle this very worrying problem, I am a firm believer that partnerships build communities and, are very effective method of resolving issues such as this."

Liberal Democrat Chris Collis is currently working extremely hard to obtain the required funding of £1000 in order to enable the project to progress to the next stage and, would like to hear from any individual who is interested in volunteering their services or any organisation or business that may be able to assist with sponsorship. Chris can be contacted on 01889 576412 during the day or alternatively on 01543 424220 after 6.30pm.