A pilot scheme to provide parish councillors and road safety-minded citizens with speed guns generated a mixed reception at the village pencilled in to trail the idea.

Police encountered a less than enthusiastic response to the Community Speed Watch Scheme from 123 residents who attended the Arnside parish meeting.

And Lakes Parish Council has cooled on the idea after being told by police that they could expect to be challenged by motorists.

Chief Inspector for South Lakeland Martin Connolly, Sergeant Sean Murphy and traffic management officer for Cumbria police Roger Mallett gave a presentation in Arnside about the plan, which involves loaning a speed gun to volunteers. As reported in last week's Westmorland Gazette, drivers caught speeding would receive warning letters. Two letters would prompt police to monitor their speed and, if caught breaking the law for a third time, prosecution would ensue. Police see the scheme as a way to empower communities to tackle speeding hot spots.

Arnside Parish Council had prompted police to pilot the scheme in South Lakeland after writing to them about possibly borrowing a speed gun after spotting a report in Local Council Review about a similar initiative in Kent. Police happened to be putting in an order for speed guns at the time the letter arrived and bought an extra one for community use.

Since Arnside Parish Council raised the idea with police, the seaside village was set to trial Community Speed Watch and the idea was put to residents at their annual parish meeting last Thursday.

Ian Stewart, Arnside's councillor on Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council, spoke up for the idea but many residents were unconvinced. Brian Walker argued the system could harm neighbourly relations while others maintained that in most places along the village's windy roads it was difficult to drive as fast as the 30mph speed limit. Motorists going below 30mph but driving recklessly around blind corners were the menace.

The scheme, however, did survive the debate, as 46 people backed the plan, 75 abstained and two voted against. Community Speed Watch will now go ahead for a trial period of several months. If it proves successful, police intend to expand the scheme in other parts of the county.

At Lakes Parish Council this week, Sgt Neil Allison was asked about the idea.

He told members: "The problem with arming people with speed radar guns is that the people using them have to realise that people are going to stop and take issue with it, and if you are not prepared for that, it will come as a shock.

"I feel we will be forever going to the aid of people using them because the general public do not accept it."

Sgt Allison added he did not think the Lakes area had such a problem with breaking speed limits but some drove at a pace inappropriate to the area.

May 2, 2003 09:00