MEMBERS of the public will be trained to use a ‘speed gun’ to help catch drivers breaking the limit in built-up areas, the Chronicle can reveal.
The move, which will involve a relaunch of the community speed watch (CSW) pilot trialled in Barnsley several years ago before hard-hitting police cuts, is seen as one of the solutions for an excess of complaints relating to speeding.
The town’s six neighbourhood policing hubs - based in the town centre, Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Kendray, Penistone and Royston - will all have one speed watch per month, while police also say successful schemes involving local schoolchildren could continue.
However, those breaking the speed restriction will not initially be prosecuted - unless they’re travelling at considerably more than the legal limit.
Sgt Richard Wilson, who heads up the Cudworth-based team, said: “The CSW scheme is something we’re relaunching and we’re in the process of engaging with communities who have expressed worries about speeding in their area.
“It’s something we think can be effective and it involves residents talking part, maybe for an hour, on a road identified at local crime meetings if it’s deemed suitable.
“The sessions will initially be led by PCSOs who have been trained in how to use the speed gun, who can in turn train up residents. Although it’s not for prosecution unless a driver is very obviously speeding, an education letter will be sent at that stage.
“The project is underway and we’re keen for locals to join their local policing teams across Barnsley. Schools have been involved but there’s a lot of paperwork involved in that particular scheme due to the heightened risk.”
Residents have also been encouraged to report hotspots to the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership in the hope of securing better signage, including signs warning about speed cameras working in the area, which could be installed.
Hotspots identified at crime meetings this year include Ben Bank Road, Silkstone Common; Sandy Bridge Lane, Shafton; Fish Dam Lane, Carlton; Burton Road, Monk Bretton; Huddersfield Road, Penistone and Common Road, Brierley.
Residents have complained that not enough is being done to combat long-running speeding concerns, resulting in the police and South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership receiving criticism last week following the death of pedestrian Jacqueline Wileman, who was hit by a speeding HGV on Common Road last year.
Dave North, chairman of Shafton Parish Council, added: “Every village has their own particular area of concern in relation to speeding so watches led by residents is something that could work.
“All we can do is keep complaining about speed and its devastating impacts. Sandy Bridge Lane has always concerned us because drivers simply drive too fast but there must be hundreds of hotspots right across Barnsley.
“Speeding affects communities and all we want is for something to happen in order to deter motorists from doing so.”
