FOUR areas in West Devon could soon have their own Speed Watch scheme if enough volunteers come forward.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s ‘Community Speed Watch’ is a national initiative involving local people monitoring driving speeds in known problem areas.

For a while now, parishioners in the Bridestowe ward, mainly Lydford, Lewdown, Sourton and Bridestowe, have been concerned over vehicles driving at excessive speed.

They petitioned local and borough councillors for something to be done.

Deputy mayor for West Devon Borough Council Cllr Caroline Mott, whose ward is Bridestowe, said one of her main aims was to set up a Speed Watch scheme across all the parishes.

She has been working with local residents, police and councillors and has managed to register Speed Watch in certain areas.

West Devon PCSO Emma Tomkies said: ‘Speed Watch is a brilliant initiative and has worked well in other areas, so it is great that the Bridestowe Ward is interested in being involved in the scheme.’

‘Volunteers will have support from police but arrange between each other when and where they will conduct their speed checks.

‘We can set up a Speed Watch site in areas members of the public feel there is a need for one, with the support of the local council, and where a successful site risk assessment is carried out.

‘Visits to a possible site in Lewdown look positive and seems a great place to start. We have potential for other sites in the surrounding areas, once we have more interest.’

Cllr Asa Macintyre from Lydford Parish Council said: ‘Speed Watch is going to be a great step towards reducing the current problem with cars and vans driving too quickly through the village.

‘Every month Lydford parishioners raise concerns and cite “near misses” and it has to stop. The very real concern is that until there is a serious accident Highways (Devon County Cuncil) won’t act and this simply can’t be left to happen.

‘The parish council has a very clear goal of reducing the limit through the village to 20mph and of enforcing the existing 40mph limit on the A386 which constantly sees drivers speeding past the Farm Shop and Dartmoor Inn.’

Cllr Mott added: ‘We are trying to find where we can manage the scheme from. We are appealing for volunteers to come forward to help in the scheme and we need a minimum of five people to start up the group.’

If anyone wishes to volunteer for Speed Watch in either Lydford, Lewdown, Sourton and Bridestowe, contact Cllr Mott via email at [email protected] or contact PCSO Tomkies on [email protected]