CHARNEY BASSETT PARISH COUNCIL REPORT ON THE COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH INITIATIVE

1. Background The Community SpeedWatch initiative focusses on education rather than enforcement and - uses trained volunteers at approved roadside sites with 30 mph limits, - monitors vehicle speed via a portable speed indication device. The equipment is deemed to be less confrontational than a speed gun. - ensures vehicles travelling at or above specified speed thresholds are reported to the police. - results in police advisory letters being sent to registered keepers of speeding vehicles. - enables the police to target enforcement activities at identified speeding hotspots.

This report is submitted on behalf of village volunteers and covers the first full year of operations in Charney Bassett (plus a brief earlier training period)

2. Management The initiative is managed by the Faringdon East Neighbourhood Action Group which is responsible for two way liaison on police and community safety issues in an area covering Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Stanford in the Vale, The Hanneys and the surrounding villages) . The equipment was funded by contributions from eight participating villages. Charney Bassett contributed £300. The account holder is Stanford in the Vale Parish Council. The participating villages are Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Stanford in the Vale, Littleworth, Longworth, Shellingford, West Hanney, Easrt Hanney and Charney Bassett. Overall coordination is undertaken by Shellingford Each village has its own coordinator and is responsible for insuring volunteers. 3. SpeedWatch in Charney Baassett There are 11 trained volunteers. Seven venues have been approved for SpeedWatch activities 35 operational sessions have been undertaken (normally one hour) 15 sessions have been cancelled (due to weather or unavailability of equipment) 50 vehicles have been found to be travelling at 34mph or more. 5 of the speeding vehicles were not reported to Police due to recording irregularities. Highest speed recorded 42mph. Village hot spot appears to be Longworth Road. Estimated number of vehicles passing through the village in one hour (one way) 30 - 80 4. Comments from the volunteers Operations are undertaken on the basis of maximum visibility at all times. Problems with the equipment has reduced the number of sessions undertaken Upgrading of the equipment software appears to have reduced the range of the radar head allowing vehicles to reduce speed before coming within range. This may be the reason why recent checks have identified fewer vehicles travelling at 34mph or more. The use of the equipment at different locations, in different villages, on different days and at different times would appear to be creating greater awareness of the need to slow down in our villages. Inappropriate speeding (less than 34mph) may still be of significant community concern, given the condition of the roads, lack of footpaths, use of large agricultural vehicles etc. There has been very little antagonism from drivers, villagers or the general public. Charney Bassett is unlikely to become a priority area for police enforcement (checks undertaken in Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Stanford in the Vale and The Hanneys have attracted targeted enforcement by the Police) The initiative should be continued for the foreseeable future.

6. Recommendations. The Parish Council is recommended to:- (a) refer this report together with any comments to the Road Safety Working Group and (b) arrange for an update on SpeedWatch to be included in the Charney Chatter.

David Sibbert, 29th April 2017

(Coordinator for Charney Bassett)