Cash pledge to slow down speeding cars in Telford

Madeley Town Council in Telford resolved to find the cash to buy four Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) at a meeting held at Jubilee House on Monday.

They will tell drivers how fast they are going – but also record data for average speeds on the road.

Town councillors say there has long been a problem with speeding drivers in Madeley and the surrounding areas – but claim whenever they have taken the matter to police or Telford & Wrekin Council they have been told there is no evidence to back it up.

Councillor Derek White said he hoped the information gathered from the devices would help solve the problem – and help present a case for sustained longer-term action such as fixed speed cameras.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: "We are having a lot of trouble with speeding cars. It's especially a problem near the schools.

"The problem is, we have no evidence to back this up.

"That's why these speed indicator devices are essential.

"They should be used as information gathering devices rather than just warning drivers to slow down.

"By using these things, we can prove there is a long term problem and actually get a long term solution.

"They would be there for a period of around 18 months.

"I believe they are very worthwhile and I think it can help save lives.

"The way they are driving around our estates at the moment, we really need these desperately."

Councillors agreed unanimously to vote in principle of being in favour of the scheme, and further works will now be done to identify how it will be paid for.

Telford & Wrekin Council has said it will be unable to manage the scheme and collect the data every three weeks because of pressures on its existing work programme.

The pilot scheme would see 12 strategic sites identified for the devices, with four of those hosting the devices for three weeks at any one time before they are eventually moved on in a rotating cycle.

The council has been quoted £10,500 for the four devices, £1,000 for data collection equipment and £480 for additional brackets.

The devices would have to be mounted on existing street lampposts and would need permission from Telford & Wrekin Council, the meeting was told.