Audlem's Community Speedwatch group is appealing for new volunteers as it introduces new camera equipment and prepares for five new Speedwatch Check Area signs warning motorists that they are entering a Speedwatch area.

The volunteer group, headed by Audlem resident George McLaren-Brown, works alongside Cheshire Police with support from Audlem Parish Council to monitor vehicle speeds and encourage drivers to stick to the village's 30mph limit.

George said the aim is not to catch or prosecute motorists, but to change driving behaviour and improve safety.

"Our job is strictly education," he said. "We're not there to catch people. We're there to keep the village residents safe."

George now hopes to expand the number of people involved, with around 12 volunteers needed and a larger group of approximately 16 considered ideal. At present, three people are required to carry out a Speedwatch session, making it difficult to run them frequently. He is particularly keen to encourage younger adults to become involved and hopes it may be possible to organise Saturday sessions involving volunteers aged 18 and over.

Historically, monitoring vehicle speed in Audlem dates back to around 2010, when concerns were raised about the speed of traffic passing through the village. Audlem's traditional layout presents particular challenges, with narrow pavements and roads that were never designed for today's volume and size of traffic.

The original scheme came to an end before being revived around seven years ago by a former police officer living in the village. George subsequently took over its running.

The campaign’s current volunteers are now learning how to use new camera equipment which should make recording vehicle information easier.

Previously, the team had to note details including a vehicle's registration, make or model, colour, speed and the time it passed — all within the few seconds available as a vehicle travelled past. Members of the group who are familiar with the new equipment will also help train new volunteers.

All information collected through Speedwatch is handled under the group's arrangements with Cheshire Police, rather than volunteers taking enforcement action themselves.

In addition to new volunteers, Speedwatch locations also have to be approved by police before the group can operate there. George said volunteer safety is an important consideration when choosing sites, particularly given some of Audlem's narrow pavements.

New recruits must go through the appropriate process with Cheshire Police before joining Speedwatch activities and are then trained in how the scheme operates.

As a result of the group’s success, drivers entering Audlem could soon see another visible reminder to watch their speed. Community Speedwatch signs are planned for five entrances to the village, subject to the necessary approval from Audlem Parish Council.

The Speedwatch signs are expected to be positioned alongside existing 30mph signs after September where possible and will alert motorists that they are entering a Community Speedwatch area.

As a measure of the group’s activities, a previously recorded wagon travelled through the village at 41mph, and George said since their efforts the group have noticed wagons travelling through at around the 30mph limit.

For him, success is not calculated by how many motorists are reported, but by drivers knowing that speeds are being monitored and slowing down as a result.

"If you go to Audlem, don't do more than 30," he said. "That's really what we're after."

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Speedwatch campaign should contact George Mclaren-Brown on 07377 623993.

Cover photo: George Mclaren-Brown