CONCERNED residents in Ashton Keynes have helped reduce the number of reckless drivers speeding through their village, though there is work still to be done.

A Community Speedwatch (CSW) scheme run by volunteers has helped to slow motorists along the B4696, a known spot for dangerous driving.

On May 24, the team caught 33 drivers exceeding the 40mph limit on the road in just one hour.

Normally the group can only take the details of drivers down and send them a precautionary letter, however they had police officers from Wiltshire Police with them at the time, which meant cautions could be given on the roadside.

Of the 33 drivers caught driving at 47mph or over, 12 were going over 50 and one was doing over 60.

A total of 24 people were pulled over and cautioned in that hour.

Jane Slaughter coordinates the Ashton Keynes CSW scheme.

Her group of volunteers share a speed-camera with other local CSW groups, which mean they have the camera for one week in every month.

Janes says since they started the scheme in April 2014, they have seen a reduction in the number of speeding motorists.

“When we get the camera we can see it has had a positive effect on our numbers,” she said.

“We are situated just off the spine road on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border, where a few driving-related deaths have occurred.

“We wanted to do something to bring attention to the speed limit.”

While numbers of speeding motorists are coming down, Jane says there is still more than can be done.

“It’s been found that 40mph markings and signage along roads to remind people what zone they are in makes them more likely to heed the speed limit,” she said.

One thing Jane is hoping to introduce to Ashton Keynes is signage on entry to the village, something she says has also helped reduce speeding in rural areas.

“We always ask for parish council assistance, as we don’t have that to any approaches to Ashton Keynes.

“We’re imploring the parish council to get the signs, but we’re just not getting the support.”

The issue of providing signs on the entrance to the village was discussed at a parish council meeting on Wednesday evening.

Ashton Keynes Parish Council clerk Veronica Hourihane said the signs are too expensive, however the council want to deploy speed indicator devices on the village’s roads.

These are signs that light up when people speed past them, making drivers aware they are driving too fast.

“At the moment Wiltshire Council aren’t deploying them but parish councils can do it themselves,” said Veronica.

“However, we need someone with a street works license to put them up, which we don’t have.

“Once we can get someone who has got one there are two or three parishes with speeding issues who we could share the cost of a speed indicator device with.

“If we have to buy one ourselves it is going to cost an arm and a leg.”

Veronica is urging anyone with a street works license to get in touch with the parish council. The council can be contacted by emailing clerk@akpc.org.uk