Hednesford residents launch battle to stop speeding drivers

Speed gun wielding residents are to patrol the streets of Hednesford to combat drivers travelling at nearly double the limit. more

A campaign to raise £1,000 has now been launched to put up to a dozen volunteers on the roads after people living in the town claimed dangerous drivers were a fatal accident 'waiting to happen'.

The community speed watch scheme will be one of around 40 in Staffordshire, and drivers caught three times by the speed guns can expect a call from police but if they continue to break limits they could face prosecution.

Problems in Hednesford have been reported in Lower Road, East Cannock Road, Stagborough Way and Hill Street which is where the volunteers will patrol initially.

Paul Woodhead, co-ordinator of Cannock Chase Green Party who has helped get the scheme off the ground, said: "We are targeting 30mph routes and residents have told me people have been driving along at at least 50mph.

"It is an accident waiting to happen.

"What seems to be happening is that since the arrival of Tesco and Aldi the A460 is getting busier and backed up so people are shooting down these other roads to avoid that."

Residents held a meeting last week at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School where the decision was made to press ahead with the scheme to finally tackle the problem and seek funding.

It has received the full backing of Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership which will be providing the equipment.

Mr Woodhead added: "It is great to see members of our community coming together to tackle a serious issue raised repeatedly when talking to neighbours across the area.

"The fact that this has gone on unresolved for many years and we can take action now is testament to things we can achieve by working together as a community.

"The next stage is to raise the £1,000 needed to fund the scheme and we will be applying for grants from our local councils and speaking to local businesses over the coming weeks to support the establishment of the scheme.

"This scheme for volunteers to spend their spare time working on community safety is filling a gap created by the government and councils not funding our public services appropriately over many years.

"Indeed the reliance on volunteers to deliver community safety, library services, school governance and the many other aspects of community life which surrounds us is a real concern."