People power sparks Telford speed cameras move

People power will see mobile speed cameras introduced on a road in Telford – after checks revealed nearly six out of every 10 drivers were speeding.

Holyhead Road in Oakengates is to become the latest 'Community Concern' site – areas where mobile speed cameras are set up in response to a series of complaints from members of the public.

Speed data collected by West Mercia's Safer Roads Partnership showed more than half of all vehicles – 57 per cent – exceeded the 30mph speed limit.

It also showed 15 per cent were travelling at speeds above 38mph.

Concerns were previously raised by residents to police and members of Oakengates Town Council about speeding traffic.

In response to this a new site where a mobile speed camera will operate from is being launched in the hope of slowing down drivers.

Local police have also distributed wheelie bin stickers to residents to remind drivers of the speed limit on Holyhead Road and encourage them to slow down.

Katy Jenkins, of the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia, said: "The aim of the Community Concern enforcement programme is to respond to requests from people for speed enforcement.

"We regularly receive requests from local people for action to be taken against speeding drivers especially in 30mph zones.

"Residents on Holyhead Road have told us that they are worried about the number of drivers exceeding the 30mph limit and in response to this we are introducing a new speed enforcement site on the road."

The site will be operational for a minimum period of six months from this week and data will be collected during this time to assess the impact of enforcement on speeds and driver behaviour.