The Acomb and Westfield wards in York appear to have been snubbed as the police today launched a “community speed watch” project.

The Community Speed Watch pilot programme will run at up to 50 sites across York, Harrogate, Selby and Harrogate “where local people have already registered a concern about speeding vehicles”. 

The Police say that the sites are “mainly” residential areas with 30 and 40 mph speed limits.

In York the chosen sites are in Holgate, Strensall, Clifton Moor, Dringhouses and Rawcliffe

However the concerns of residents living on Green Lane and Wetherby Road in the Westfield ward and Beckfield Lane in the Acomb Ward appear to have been overlooked.

A recent survey on Wetherby Road showed nearly 40% of vehicles triggering the 30 mph VAS warning sign.

No consultation with local Councillors appears to have taken place.

In a media release the Police say, “Over the next six months, police volunteers, together with members of the community, will visit the sites with a hand-held radar gun and/or an LED speed sign.  They will record vehicle speeds and anyone caught speeding will receive a letter from North Yorkshire Police informing them of their offence and the need to address driving behaviour.

The main purpose of Community Speed Watch is to draw drivers’ attention to speed limits in areas where communities say it is affecting their quality of life, and to educate them about the effects that anti-social road use can have on local people.  However, North Yorkshire Police will also be keeping a close watch on the recorded data, and may take enforcement measures if a persistent or extreme offender is identified”.

Details of the community speed watch leaflet can be found by clicking here

Our view

We think that using PCSOs and Specials to test speed limit compliance may be a good way to use some of their time.

We don’t see the involvement of local residents in enforcement activity of this sort as being appropriate.

It is potentially confrontational and part of the drift away from sustaining professional public service standards.