Support needed to tackle speeding drivers in Wincanton and Castle Cary

Police have warned their quest to slash speeding in Wincanton and Castle Cary hinges on local support.

A community speed watch programme will be set up in Castle Cary after residents raised concerns over speeding to officers.

A similar scheme was earmarked for Wincanton in September 2012 after generating widespread interest in the light of several incidents on Moor Lane.

However, the initiative – which would see a team of residents patrolling the town’s streets holding devices to gauge vehicle speeds – has since fallen on deaf ears.

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Police are now appealing to members of the public to come forward and help “save lives” as they look to tighten the net on dangerous drivers.

PC Charlie Allen said: “Our Partners and Community Together meeting in Castle Cary went very well with around 20 people attending.

“Everyone had their say and we managed to agree on a few main principles to focus on, one of which was setting up a community speed watch programme.

“That will involve a team of at least six people and a main co-ordinator to volunteer and work alongside the police.

“Something like this could potentially save lives.”

Concerns were raised in Castle Cary after speed tests carried out on the A371 near Cumnock Crescent showed motorists were hurtling down at an average of 38mph.

“The worrying thing about this average is that it suggests a sizeable number will be travelling above 40mph,” PC Allen added.

“This seriously increases the chance of a fatality in the event of a vehicle being in collision with a pedestrian.

“The community speed watch schemes work. We must now put together an enthusiastic team to carry it out.

“We used to have one operating in Castle Cary, but it expired four years ago.

“It’s all about taking a sense of ownership in your area and actively trying to solve an serious problem.”

In September 2012, Wincanton residents and councillors pledged to support a similar scheme to combat speeding.

The calls came in the light of a series of incidents on Moor Lane. In June 2012, Debbie Jeffery had to be cut out of her car by emergency services after a collision on Moor Lane.

Weeks later, 19-year-old Nicola Parsons, of Kington Magna, was killed on the same road.

However, despite the initial interest, the scheme is yet to come to fruition.

PCSO Zoe Brooks, of Wincanton police station, said the door remains open for the scheme to be revived. She said: “After a number of incidents last summer, it inspired people to want to set up a community speed watch.

“However, when it came to the crunch nobody came forward.

“If people want to work with us then we would be happy to look to set the scheme up.”

To volunteer, contact PC Allen at 07824 600330.