Green Light For Speed Watch Project

7.24.00pm GMT Mon 12th Nov 2007

Councillor Chris Collis

Your local Liberal Democrat District Councillor Chris Collis is proud to announce that residents of both Heath Hayes and Wimblebury, are soon to benefit from the introduction of their very own Community Speed Watch Scheme. The purpose of which is to perform regular speed check sessions along the Cannock, Wimblebury and Hednesford roads plus John Street, all of which are unfortunately regularly abused by motorists driving well in excess of the stipulated speed limit.

It was only during July this year when Chris was approached by Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators Derek Baseley and Christine Skomski, to see if he could provide any assistance in the formation of a local speed watch group. Basically the initiative required promoting in order to recruit a sufficient number of volunteers and, work was needed to secure the necessary funding of £1000 to enable the project to become a reality. As always our man on the spot immediately set about achieving these objectives and as a direct result of his endeavours, the funding was quickly located and a very committed and enthusiastic band of local volunteers were encouraged to tender their services, all of which are now fully trained in the safe and legal operation of hand operated speed detection devices.

Speedwatch members left to right. D. Baseley, A. Luty, Cllr Chris Collis, Cllr Dan Davies, C. Skomski, R. Gillbert, B. Vale.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Collis said," I am truly delighted to see the Heath Hayes and Wimblebury Speed Watch project becoming operational, I am sure that this initiative will help to reduce the number of motorists that drive at excessive speeds along the roads to be targeted, subsequently putting the lives of all villagers and especially our children at severe risk of injury or god forbid even worse. This is a fine example of the community joining together to take positive action to reduce speeding in their own area and I applaud the volunteers for kindly giving up their valuable time to help, I would also like to thank Liberal Democrat County Councillor Danny Davies, for supporting the scheme by providing the £1000 required to train and equip the members of the project."

Speed Watch co-ordinator Derek Baseley added," I am absolutely chuffed to bits with the response from the community in relation to this project and I thank all those that have offered their services. I would also like to commend Councillor Chris Collis, for yet again swiftly responding to the community's appeal for help concerning the growing problem of speeding motorists on our local roads, quite simply without his assistance I don't think this Community Speed Watch scheme would have been achieved."