A new community speedwatch group has been set up in Blurton with drivers being caught doing 57 mph in a 30 zone.

The group, made up from volunteers across Blurton, will be targeting Drubbery Lane, Church Road and the Seddons Estate. Volunteers have to undergo training from Staffordshire Police before being allowed to carry out any work.

The speedwatch team works in groups of three – one to operate the speed gun, a second to write down details and a third to count traffic.

Speedwatch volunteer Gary Simpson started volunteering after becoming concerned about speeding. The 50 year old said: "I joined after the chairman of a community meeting asked for volunteers, I was concerned about speeding and I know it's a problem"

Speedwatcher and Blurton resident Ken Williams, 60 said that the speed gun only records the speed of the vehicle and once the data is collected it is sent to the police.

Speedwatch volunteers on Langland Drive - (L-R) Les Warrilow, Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, Gary Simpson and Ken Williams (LDRS).

He said: "We use a radar device, everyone we suspect of speeding we aim the device and pull the trigger, all the device does it record the speed. 

"Then we record it in the log sheet, once the sheet is completed it is sent to the speedwatch group at the police and anyone who has exceeded the speed limit is sent a letter."

Anyone caught speeding by the group is sent a letter informing them they have been caught speeding. If you are caught again you can expect the police to knock on your door and after that you can expect to get points on your licence and a possible fine.

The group can also record if they catch a motorist using a phone while driving. Volunteer Les Warrilow outlined that the punishment is different if you are caught using a phone.

The 68 year old said: "If we catch anyone driving with a mobile it's a straight £200 fine and six points – no warning letter."

Local ward councillor Lorraine Beardmore said speeding along the estates is one of the biggest issues in the community and in order to get the group up and running she put a call out to residents asking them to join.

The community leader said: "Speeding is one of the things that's raised with me the most as the local councillor, not just on the main roads but estate roads.

"I've been trying to get the police to take action for a number of years. We had an assessment on Drubberry Lane and then the police didn't follow it up with any action.

"Now they are an active community speedwatch group and it is already reducing speed, you do see people visibly slow down when they see the signs and the volunteers in their high vis jackets. 

"Hopefully it will have a psychological effect on people thinking I won't speed now I know I could get caught."

If Blurton residents are interested in volunteering for the community speedwatch group they should contact Councillor Lorraine Beardmore.

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