Volunteers sought to tackle speeding at beauty spot

Police have called for more volunteers to join a community speed watch group as they tackle concerns over speeding at a popular tourist spot.

Officers want to expand the existing group in Ironbridge, Shropshire, where residents have reported concerns about speeding on roads including the Wharfage, which now has a 20mph limit.

The scheme sees local people work alongside police to monitor vehicle speeds using approved detection devices.

PC Sean Maddocks said drivers often travelled from roads with higher speed limits and did not always adjust their speed when entering 20mph, 30mph and 40mph zones.

Police said speeding was a particular issue during busy summer months when thousands of visitors travel to the historic town

"The natural beauty that Ironbridge offers means we have people from far and wide visit the area," Maddocks told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"[Speeding has] become quite obvious to local residents and that's the concern they've raised with us."

PC Maddocks said volunteers played an important role in gathering information and increasing awareness among drivers.

Although the equipment is not used to prosecute drivers, the information gathered helps identify problem areas and can lead to advisory letters being sent to motorists.

"The data is used and - for those drivers that are quite excessive - we do take some more formal action," Maddocks said.

"It also provides officers like myself and colleagues the opportunity to target these areas ourselves for formal enforcement."

Sgt Anna Rouse said the force was hoping to expand the existing group to allow more regular speed watch sessions throughout the week.

"I think people enjoy making where they live a better place," she said. "The community raised it to us to say that this is an issue they are concerned about and they want to do something to assist."

Volunteers receive training on how to use the equipment and get support from police officers and road safety staff.

Elsewhere in the county, residents in Uffington, near Shrewsbury, have taken a more unusual approach to tackling speeding motorists.

A scarecrow dressed as a police officer, complete with a hairdryer being used as a speed gun, is regularly moved around the village in a bid to encourage drivers to slow down.

Lisa Miller, deputy chair of Uffington Parish Council, said drivers often slow down when they first spot the scarecrow.

She said the village was also set to install new gateway features at either end of the road which are expected to reduce speeds by several miles per hour.

"You do regularly [hear of] people getting very frustrated [by speeding motorists]. It's not just cars, motorbikes as well," she said.

"Some of them come through at such high speeds, it's just not safe."

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