Locals' speed gun catches drivers

Wildmill residents such as Philip Loveday carry out random checks

People on a Bridgend housing estate have been given a speed gun to help catch motorists driving too fast.

Police issued the gun to residents of Wildmill after local people expressed fears children would be injured by speeding drivers.

The three-month Speed Watch campaign lets local people record drivers going over the 30mph limit and then to report them.

The group taking part say they have already caught "lots and lots".

Philip Loveday, who has been trained to use the speed gun, said: "We've been campaigning for years for something to be done about how fast people drive around here.

We even caught one travelling at 45mph in a 30mph zone... a child would never stand a chance against that Philip Loveday

"It's like a rat run and with lots of children playing in the streets. We are worried a child is going to be hit and injured."

He said that after being trained to use the device, the group had carried out random speed patrols.

"We go out when we can and zap them," he said.

"Once we take the details of the vehicle, we pass them onto the police who speak to the driver.

"We've caught lots and lots and lots of people going over 30mph. People are driving at 38, 39, 40mph sometimes and it's just not on.

"We even caught one travelling at 45mph in a 30mph zone. A child would never stand a chance against that."

Safer roads

Although some people had objected to the speed patrols, there had been a mostly positive reaction.

"My wife works in the hospital and she sees people come in who have been hit by a car and it's not nice," he said.

"All we want is for people to kill their speed before they kill a person."

Mandy Snape, the Wildmill Speed Watch co-ordinator, said it "allows the residents to have a direct influence in making the roads through Wildmill safer for local children, and pensioners".

Speed patrols are being carried out around the Cemetery Road junction, Wildmill Lane, and the St Francis Junction over the next three months.

Police community support officer Paul Galtry, who patrols the Wildmill area, said: "The Speed Watch initiative represents a great example of how the commitment of local residents can help to improve communities.

"The residents are giving up their own time to help reduce vehicle speed, and make the roads safer."