Volunteers to take on speedwatch traps
A NEW speedwatch scheme is set to start in villages near Great Yarmouth to tackle motorists exceeding the speed limit.The Rural North Tenants and Residents Association (RNTRA) is looking for at least six volunteers to man the camera which takes pictures of cars going too fast.
A NEW speedwatch scheme is set to start in villages near Great Yarmouth to tackle motorists exceeding the speed limit.
The Rural North Tenants and Residents Association (RNTRA) is looking for at least six volunteers to man the camera which takes pictures of cars going too fast.
The photos are handed to the police and any motorists caught speeding a number of times could receive a letter from the police warning them that they are breaking the law or even a visit from police officers.
RNTRA chairman Peter Kirkpatrick said: “Basically, people just don't obey the speed limits. I live in a 30mph zone and I see motorbikes doing 40 or 50mph. It is really difficult with modern vehicles to keep to the speed limit, but that is something they are required to do.”
He added volunteers did not need previous experience with speed cameras and said they would be trained by the police on how to use them.
Once training and risk assessments, the groups of three volunteers are initially expected to monitor roads in Ormesby and Winterton, such as Yarmouth Road, Ormesby before the scheme is rolled out to other villages around Yarmouth, including Filby.
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The RNTRA has been looking to get the camera for two years but could not afford the �750 cost of insuring one.
However, Mr Kirkpatrick said Winterton Parish Council would be covering the insurance cost, while the RNTRA has also been successful in obtaining �500 grant funding from mobile phone firm O2.
He added he hoped to have the speedwatch scheme up and running by the end of April.
AN APPEAL has gone out for more people to sign a petition on the Prime Minister's 10 Downing Street website calling for 20mph speed limits to be imposed around schools across the country.
Mr Kirkpatrick started the petition in January and has since collected 46 signatures, which he said represented “slow progress.”
However, he added he was intending to do a poster campaign around pubs and shops in villages surrounding Yarmouth which he hoped would increase the number of names.
