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| Assistant Chief Constable Andy Rhodes: “We hope that this scheme will reduce speeds and prevent injuries.” Photo: Lancashire Constabulary |
Lancaster RoadWatch, a new scheme which aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads is set to be launched in Lancaster and Wyre – and has been welcomed by both Lancashire Constabulary and the County Council.
The scheme from Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety will extend the number of sites used for mobile speed enforcement, which can take place at any site along a designated route.
The selected routes have been chosen based on casualty statistics – so enforcement will take place on roads where people have previously been killed or seriously injured.
Residents are also being encouraged to raise their concerns about speeding so that the police, together with local councils, can take appropriate action which may include additional mobile speed enforcement.
New sites will not be signed with speed camera warning signs – which are not a legal requirement – providing a more flexible and prompt response to residents’ concerns about speeding. Any existing fixed sites and signage will remain in place and enforcement will continue at these sites.
Lancashire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, who is also the Chair of the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety Executive Board, is enthusiastic about the development.
“This scheme will provide much more flexibility, enabling the partnership to swiftly respond to concerns about speeding raised by residents,” he argues.
“Priority will still be given to roads where injuries have occurred in the last five years but it will also enable enforcement on other roads where there is evidence that speeding is an issue, allowing us to be proactive in our approach and take action where speeding is a concern.
“We hope that this scheme will reduce speeds and prevent injuries.”
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| County Councillor Tim Ashton: “I look forward to this greater focus on mobile enforcement” |
“Enforcing speed limits is an essential part of the package of measures, including education, engagement and engineering, which has led to a significant reduction in the numbers of people being killed and injured on Lancashire’s roads,” added County Councillor Tim Ashton, who is Lancashire County Council Cabinet member for highways and transport.
“I look forward to this greater focus on mobile enforcement which strengthens the message that we will deal quickly with community concerns and do what it takes to make our roads even safer.”
Lancashire RoadWatch is set to start in Lancaster and Wyre on Monday 26th September and will be rolled-out to the rest of Lancashire at a later date.
Earlier this year, statistics revealed the number of people killed or seriously injured on Lancashire’s roads is at the lowest in 30 years. The County Council has also introduced residential 20mph speed limits which will cover all residential roads
and outside schools over the next three years.
• The lists of designated routes where enforcement can take place will be available to view at www.safe2travel.co.uk from Monday.
If you have a concern about speeding, you can raise it at your local police and communities together (PACT) meeting. Dates for PACT meetings can be found at www.lancashire.police.uk. Alternatively, concerns can be reported to the police on 0845 1 25 35 45.
• Lancashire County Council can be contacted on 0845 053 0000 or via www.safe2travel.co.uk