MP backs campaign to cut speeding traffic in Formby

Speeding drivers have been put on notice by fed-up activists who have taken speed enforcement into their own hands in Formby.

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson has given his backing to the community scheme run entirely by volunteers which aims to make the roads safer by reducing the number of speeding vehicles.

Members of the Formby Labour Action Team have started a group under the Community Speedwatch scheme, a national initiative where members of local communities with the support of the police monitor speeds of vehicles using speed detection devices.

Vehicles exceeding the speed limit on 20mph, 30mph or 40mph roads are referred to the police and the aim is to educate drivers to reduce their speeds. In cases where evidence of repeat or excessive offences is collated (even across county borders), enforcement and prosecution follow.

Mr Esterson said: “Speeding is an issue that comes up again and again with my constituents and with the Tory cuts to neighbourhood policing, traffic enforcement has gone further down the list of police priorities."

“Speedwatch is an excellent scheme which empowers local communities to do something about an issue that can blight lives – people often write to me to say they feel powerless about reckless drivers who make their roads less safe for them and their families. This scheme allows members of the community to really make a difference on this issue.”

Formby Labour Action Team member Nina Killen said: “This is the one issue which comes up time and time again – people cannot stand to see speeding drivers especially in residential roads. We’re saying Formby will no longer be a place where people can speed and think they will never get caught."

“As Speedwatch volunteers we will not stop or confront any drivers ourselves, we will just monitor speeds and pass the information to the police. The police can then use the data to send out letters to speeding drivers or carry out enforcement activity themselves in speeding ‘hot spots’.” The Community Speedwatch website states: “Volunteers receive appropriate training, and are supported by neighbourhood policing team staff. The scheme aims to cater for the problem of real or perceived speed-related offending, and through partnership with the community it is to be used in circumstances that are necessary, justifiable and proportionate in order to reduce death and injury on the roads, improve the quality of life for local communities, reduce the speed of vehicles to the speed limit and increase public awareness of inappropriate speed.

“Speedwatch activity is not about interfering with neighbours' behaviour; it is a proactive solution to improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community.”

The Labour Action Group would welcome more volunteers from the community joining the Formby Speedwatch group. For more information go to www.communityspeedwatch.co.uk and follow the instructions to register.