Community Speedwatch Scheme in Wiltshire to reduce speeding and empower residentsChange Management Wiltshire community speedwatch was developed in October 2009. It is a three year programme designed to provide a county-wide co-ordinated response to the issue of speeding traffic. Speeding is a subject of growing public concern - it is regularly raised at area board meetings right across the county. The high level of demand was picked up at the council’s area board meetings. As a result, the area boards team developed a bid for funding to support the development of a more comprehensive county-wide community speedwatch scheme. The community speedwatch scheme was linked to two strategic objectives – building “resilient communities” (the volunteering element) and “safer communities” (tackling dangerous driving). The initiative was awarded £90,000 by the local council and in October 2009 the council, police and local volunteers started to set up a comprehensive community speedwatch scheme.
When an area is identified as suitable and safe for community speedwatch the parish council is asked to recruit community volunteers. The community speedwatch co-ordinator trains the volunteers to carry out roadside checks on the speed of vehicles. The volunteers are also supported by neighbourhood police teams. Community volunteers record the speed and registration numbers of offending vehicles and the owners of speeding vehicles are sent letters by the police which draw attention to the offence and warn the driver of the consequences of excessive speeding. |
About this case study
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Steve Milton Head of Community Governance Wiltshire Council Tel: 01722 434255 Email:
Steve Milton wrote this case study for Governance International on 7 November 2011. |