Safer: Folkestone Town Council to buy Speedwatch equipment

A proposal originally put forward by Folkestone Town Councillor Bev Rolfe for Folkestone Town Council to buy Speedwatch equipment for use in Folkestone was passed last night by Folkestone Town Council. The Speedwatch equipment can be used by volunteer teams at any Police approved location, and displays the speed of any vehicle travelling above the speed limit in that road.

Speedwatch is already in use in Lyminge, Elham and Stelling Minnis. A presentation to Folkestone Town Council by a Lyminge Councillor explained how the equipment worked in practice, and answered questions by members of the Council.

Speed Watch is a scheme that can record the speed of vehicles travelling through their area. A speed indication device is set up to measure how fast vehicles are moving within the lower speed limit. This is a sign that shows the driver their speed - but only if the vehicle is over the speed limit.

If a vehicle is travelling significantly in excess of the speed limit for that road, the cars details can be taken and passed to Police, who will send a letter to the registered owner.

If a driver is found to be speeding twice within a twelve-month period, the registered owner receives a warning letter from the police. If the same vehicle is caught three times, there is a further warning, and possibly follow-up action by police officers.

The equipment will cost around £2,000 and will be operated by volunteer teams including councillors. The original motions to buy the equipment went to a recent Town Council meeting, but was deferred for consideration by the Community Services Committee. When a paper returned to the Council last night, it was proposed by Cllr Brian Copping, and backed by the majority of Councillors including all Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Park ward, Bev Rolfe, was delighted with the move. Bev said:

"The Speedwatch equipment gives us the chance to help residents in our wards who have problems with speeding in their road. The biggest impact of the equipment is that it gives motorists who are travelling too fast a reminder to slow down. It gives us, and the Police, more information on roads in which there is persistent speeding.

"The local Police have one Speedwatch screen, which is used across Shepway. I hope that by the Council having its own equipment as well, it can be used in many more places in Folkestone, and that whenever local residents have a problem with speeding in their road, we can help."