As the Government's lockdown restrictions begin to ease, Staffordshire's Community Speed Watch volunteers are returning to the roadside from today (Monday, 6th July).

Following safety assessments, it has now been determined that the local volunteers can return to their speed monitoring duties this week.

The initiative sees local residents monitor speeds of vehicles in their local area using a speed detection device with the aim of raising awareness, promoting safe driving and preventing speeders on their local roads.

A total of 369 volunteers across 69 areas make up the Staffordshire Community Speed Watch scheme, including several in Biddulph.

Last year it was reported that between September 2017 and September 2018, Biddulph's volunteers caught hundreds of drivers breaking the speed limits in a variety of locations in the town, including Congleton Road, Tunstall Road, Meadows Way and New Street.

More drivers were caught speeding on Congleton Road than on any other road in the Staffordshire Moorlands, with 124 motorists being clocked breaking the speed limits.

Volunteers record speeders on a log sheet and submit it to Staffordshire Police. Once the details have been checked, a letter is sent to the registered keeper warning them of the dangers of speeding. If a driver ignores repeated warnings, the force will take further action.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Tweats said: "The Community Speed Watch volunteers do a remarkable job by giving up their own time to help make the roads of Staffordshire a safer place to be - so we are delighted to have them back.

"All of our volunteers play a vital role in policing and help Staffordshire Police to prevent crime and above all, keep everyone safe."

Cllr Daniel Jellyman, Stoke-on-Trent City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Heritage, said: "We'd like to thank volunteers for playing an active role in helping to make roads in communities across the city safer. It is great to have them back, as roads become busier and we continue our recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

"Community Speed Watch groups are the easiest way for communities to tackle speeding and we would encourage more residents to form their own."

And Helen Fisher, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council, added: "Staffordshire has some of the safest roads in the country which is something we are proud of and have worked hard to achieve. We are always looking at ways to improve road safety and in particular reducing speed which is a major factor that affects our communities.

"Giving volunteers the know-how and the tools to help reduce speeding has been a huge success, contributing to the safety of our roads.

"It's good news that many of our communities are now able to restart their local schemes."

For more information and for anyone interested in joining Community Speed Watch, email [email protected]