Calls for fines as Weston volunteers catch 17,500 speeders in village

VOLUNTEERS have caught more than 17,500 drivers as part of a community crackdown on speeding motorists.

Now villagers want tougher penalties brought in for speeders – despite recording a 35 per cent fall in numbers over four years.

The Speedwatch scheme started in Weston, near Crewe in February 2009 – and since then 4,598 drivers have received warning letters from the police.

But volunteers say only fines and penalty points will make offenders think twice about flouting the law.

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Speedwatch co-ordinator Tom Longstaff, of Weston, said: "We are not just chasing figures.

"We go to the areas we think are the most dangerous because there is a serious problem with people flying through the village.

"The main road through Weston is very busy and people use Englesea Brook as a rat run to get the motorway. Some of the speeds we see people do are frightening. But we don't just want to stand there with a speed gun and send people gentle warnings, we want something done about it."

Volunteers are in talks with Weston and Basford Parish Council to get Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) put up in the village.

Members have also lobbied Cheshire Police about increasing the use of speed camera vans.

Sixty seven-year-old Mr Longstaff, added: "We are just one little village but we are trying to push for something more permanent and effective.

"We are producing the figures, but we do not have the impact on speeding that we wanted to have when we set up the scheme."

Since 2009 the average number of drivers speeding through Weston, Basford and Englesea Brook has dropped from 43 cars per hour to 28, but volunteers claim they have seen an increase in repeat offenders.

Mr Longstaff added: "In Weston we see a speeding driver every minute and we have once caught someone travelling at 67mph in a 30mph zone. These drivers, who would have been caught and punished if this was a police operation, are still flying through the village."

Sixty year-old volunteer Steve Edgar, of Weston, believes speeding drivers should be issued with fines and penalty points.

He said: "Some of the speeds we have recorded are ridiculous and since we are living in a rural area, more needs to be done to tackle this.

"We need support from the police to introduce measures to deter people from speeding."

Cheshire Police was unavailable for comment. Speedwatch is appealing for more volunteers. Anyone wishing to help should call 01270 256391 or 01270 588737.