The Chelford Speedwatch team consists of 6 residents, three of whom are parish councillors. The Team has been operating since the end of last April and during that time has undertaken 23, one hour monitoring sessions, across different days and times of the week. The Team has recorded 130 vehicles exceeding the 30mph speed limit, with some travelling at well over 40mph. The average number of vehicles passing through the Village each hour has been 399, with just under 600 on one occasion.
Each vehicle exceeding the speed limit is recorded by time, speed, registration number, make and colour. This information is then submitted to the police who then take appropriate action and also record the information. The Team has been trained by the police. The Speedwatch locations are also determined by the Police. The presence of the Team does have a significant impact on slowing the speed of general traffic in spite of some drivers appearing to believe that nothing will happen if they speed.
The Parish Council has repeatedly over many years, raised the speeding problem with Cheshire East Council and the Police. The Parish Council has no power to introduce measures like speed limits, speed bumps, speed cameras, signage or most other measures, although one exception has been speed indicators, which were installed by the Parish Council with Cheshire East permission. Traffic issues are matters which are the responsibility of Cheshire East Highways and the Police, not the Parish Council, although the Parish Council will continue to make representations on behalf of residents. The Parish Council is happy to receive comments from residents, who may also wish to make their views known to our Ward Councillor, Cheshire East Highways and the Police.
The Speedwatch Team would welcome additional volunteers.