It has come round to hay making and harvest season once again. In the past couple of weeks, the tractors and trailers have reappeared in the villages and this has prompted a number of comments on the villages WhatsApp group regarding speeding. As residents, the Parish Council (PC) is more than aware that speeding in the villages is a problem and gives rise to concerns about safety on the roads.
This issue is from time to time raised with the PC via parishioners attending the PC meetings which usually occur on the first Wednesday of the month. The PC takes this seriously and makes contact with the Police and Beds Borough Council (BBC). However, the powers of the PC are very limited power in this regard.
Currently the PC is researching and looking to purchase one or two (if funds allow) additional Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs). From a meeting recently attended with the Police Rural Community Team the PC was informed that data from these devices can be submitted to the police so they can better determine the deployment of speed enforcement units. The PC will do this from now on.
At this meeting the police reiterated that the most effective way of helping with speeding is a Community Speed Watch Group organised by volunteers from the local community. Data obtained from such a group can be submitted to the police and the police will use this to both talk/write to people caught via Speed Watch and in the case of repeat offenders pursue possible prosecution. For further information on how to set up a Group please follow this link
In addition, the PC is also talking to BBC regarding extending the Upper Dean 20MPH limit to form a complete loop of High Street, Brook Lane and Shay Lane, however, the PC has been informed that the cost of this would be in the region of three thousand pounds which is beyond the PC’s funds at this time.