FED up Bramhall residents are taking matters into their own hands in a bid to crack down on speeding drivers.
Residents and ward councillors are being armed with speed guns by Stockport Council in an attempt to catch problem drivers racing along Bramhall’s roads.
Volunteers have been trained to carry out speed watch radar checks to deter motorists from breaking the speed limit. If a driver is caught speeding, the incident can be reported to the police, who will then issue a letter warning them to reduce their speed in the future.
The scheme, which has been launched in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, is being introduced around Moss Lane - a known speeding hot spot - although the campaign will be operating in different parts of Bramhall in the coming weeks.
Coun David White, executive member for transportation, said: "Community Speed Watch encourages community involvement and sends a strong message out to speeding motorists that breaking the speed limit will no longer be tolerated."It’s unfortunate that we have to take such drastic action to get motorists to adhere to the speed limit, and we hope that this will act as a deterrent to anyone who is tempted to speed."
But Bramhall Coun Helen Foster-Grime criticised the campaign, insisting it was not the job of residents or councillors to catch speeding drivers.
"Speeding along certain roads at certain times is a problem in Bramhall, but have councillors got nothing better to do than stand around playing with laser guns? It’s ridiculous.
"Councillors should be pressing GMP on this issue, as I have done, because that is where we can bring our influence to bear, and sort these issues out.
"I would also be concerned about the safety of residents who are going to stand along a roadside."
However, Coun Stuart Bodsworth, executive member for the environment, said the scheme could only mean good news for the people of Bramhall.
"Community Speed Watch is a great idea," he added.
"By lowering your speed you can reduce carbon emissions and save on petrol which will improve the environment and be a boost to your savings."
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Peregrine Spanswick (29/04/2009 at 13:19)
If the offending vehicle is a family car (i.e. may be driven by different people), to which driver will a letter be addressed?
How much of a deterrant is this going to be if all the driver knows is going to happen is to get a letter?
And if this scheme should be extended to actual prosecutions being made against people caught by these speed traps, the Mr Loophole Layers will have a field day.
This is doomed from the start to be as effective as standing on the pavement pointing a hairdryer at cars.
neil sk6 (29/04/2009 at 19:38)
However, there was a simlar scheme in Poynton not so long ago and all it is is local OAPs with nothing better to do during the day and the picture above proves that.
noname togive (18/05/2009 at 11:32)
zarquon, bramhall (23/05/2009 at 11:45)