A COUNCILLOR has called on residents to back a new Speedwatch campaign which aims to reduce the risk of road accidents in Tavistock.

West Devon Borough councillor James Spettigue, who has helped to set up the scheme, said the project had been put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now Cllr Spettigue and Tavistock Town councillor Ginnie Parker say the police-backed scheme is ready to hit the road and possible target areas where traffic is causing concerns have been identified.

But he said he wanted local residents to come forward with their own ideas over where the project, which aims to persuade motorists to slow down, should operate.

Cllr Spettigue, who represents Tavistock on the borough council, told town councillors in a report that the new group would be at first focussing at Anderton Lane, often used as a shortcut around the outskirts of Tavistock by drivers from the A386.

He told the town council in his report that the Speedwatch plan was first discussed almost two years ago, but its launch was delayed as police resources were restructured to meet the challenges of the pandemic.

Cllr Spettigue said: ’The group has now been formed and the coordinators (Ginnie and myself) trained.

’Initially, we will have one location where we can check speed (Anderton Lane).

’As things move forward, PCSO Kevin Williams, who is our link to local policing, will risk assess more sites where speed is known to be an issue.’

He asked town councillors to let them know of any places in the town where excess speed was a problem, but added not every site would be suitable due to the required risk assessments relating to volunteer safety.

Possible future sites include Whitchurch Road, in the area of the livestock market and the Market Inn and Parkwood Road.

Cllr Spettigue said: ’If you yourselves are interested in volunteering or know of any residents who would like to be involved, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Ginnie or myself.

’We are very much hoping that, as things get up and running, the Speedwatch group’s presence can help to reduce excessive vehicle speeds within our town and reduce the likelihood of serious accidents or injuries.’

The Tavistock Community Speedwatch project follows a series of similar schemes which have been set up in the West Devon area.

Villages taking part in the police-backed scheme includes Lamerton and Milton Abbot as well as on Dartmoor, where officers train residents in the use of a speed camera, which records the speed of passing traffic.

In Lamerton, villagers driven to distraction by fears of an accident involving residents and schoolchildren launched a comprehensive campaign which included homemade and life-size dummies urging motorists to keep to the 30mph speed limit.

Motorists who break the speed limit are at first given guidance on keeping their speed down by police officers, but repeat offences can lead to them being prosecuted.