Earlier this year, Caersws Community Council highlighted concerns raised by residents about road and pedestrian safety in and around Caersws.

As part of that work, we also held an opportunity for residents to meet councillors and discuss local issues. One of the ideas raised was establishing a Community Speedwatch group for the Caersws area.

We would now like to hear from residents who may be interested in getting involved.

What is Community Speedwatch?

Community Speedwatch is a national initiative run in partnership with the police. Trained local volunteers use approved speed detection equipment at agreed roadside locations to monitor the speed of passing vehicles.

Details of vehicles exceeding the speed limit can then be passed to the police. The purpose of the scheme is primarily education and deterrence, encouraging motorists to slow down rather than issuing fines directly.

Where motorists are repeatedly identified speeding, the information gathered can also help the police consider further action.

What would volunteers need to do?

Volunteers are provided with training and support from the local neighbourhood policing team, so you do not need any previous experience.

A local group would periodically carry out Speedwatch sessions at locations agreed as suitable and safe. The information collected also provides useful local evidence about speeding concerns and can help demonstrate where further enforcement or highway improvements may be needed.

There is no requirement to be available every week – the aim is to build a small group of local residents so sessions can be organised between those who are available.

Why are we looking at this?

When we published our Safety Concerns – Caersws update in April, we asked residents to help build evidence around road safety, including reporting incidents, submitting dashcam footage and supporting a local Community Speedwatch scheme.

The stronger the evidence available, the stronger the case we can make when asking the relevant authorities for action.

We had some initial interest following our community event, but to establish a viable local Speedwatch group we need a few more volunteers.

Interested?

If you live in Caersws or the surrounding villages and would be interested in taking part – or simply want to find out a little more before deciding – please contact:

Councillor Michael Cheshire
📧 Cllr.Mike.Cheshire@caerswscommunitycouncil.gov.uk

There is no commitment at this stage. We would simply like to establish whether there is enough local interest to take the idea forward.

If speeding in our community concerns you, this is one practical way you can help us do something about it.