70 More Speedwatch Programmes For Hampshire

30 July 2014, 06:03 | Updated: 30 July 2014, 06:06

Up to 70 new community Speedwatch programmes are going to be set up across Hampshire.

Volunteers will be given speed guns to monitor traffic on 30mph roads, with warning letters then sent to speeding drivers.

£135,000 pounds is being made available to fund them over the next two years by the county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Hayes.

There are currently 45 projects running.

A statement on the PCC's website said:

"I have pledged £135,000 over two years to encourage the expansion of the Community SpeedWatch programme across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"The funding is allocated as match funding for the cost of setting up a Community SpeedWatch scheme, with a contribution of £1,000 per scheme.

"The funding will allow for the introduction of 70 new schemes. SpeedWatch teams will need to secure the remaining funds to set up a scheme and have the support of their local district, borough, town or parish council."

"Speeding is one of the factors that most affects the quality of life in the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which in turn makes it one of the biggest community priorities.

"Until now the community and local Safer Neighbourhood teams have been able to do little to tackle this problem. Because we are being told speeding is a big concern we want to work with you. We think that the Community SpeedWatch programme is a good way to move forward.

"Community SpeedWatch allows members of the community to become police support volunteers and take action, helping us to educate drivers on the roads of concern in your area."