Community Speedwatch is a National Initiative that is adopted by individual Police Forces across the UK operating to the rules of said individual Forces. In Sussex Community Speedwatch runs under Sussex Safer Roads Partnership / Sussex Police and the operating parameters are governed by the Sussex Police Speed Management Policy. The groups across Sussex are managed by its coordinators under that Policy, West Sussex County Council are a partner of SSRP.
In October 2011 the Storrington & Sullington Parish Council approved a proposal to set up a Community Speedwatch Scheme in the village.
The Storrington Scheme was only the 2nd such initiative in Sussex, after Ringmer, and from the start has been a partnership between the Police, Parish Council and local volunteers.
The volunteers were originally trained by the Police and now through on-line learning to monitor the speed of traffic using laser equipment on loan from the Police or purchased with funds raised by the group.
The objective of the Scheme is to improve driver behaviour, through education, and thus to improve road safety for all residents of Storrington.
Cars travelling over the speed limit are logged by the volunteers, and details sent to Sussex Police for action. The speeds of vehicles are also monitored by loops under the road at two points in Storrington.
With the support of the Parish Council, the following shows the volumes of all traffic, and those speeding, at these 2 points:
West Street in June 2024
- 561,701 vehicles (average of 18,723 vehicles every day)
- Over 30mph = 35,100 (1,170 on average every day at >30mph)
- 36mph and over = 5,250 (175 on average every day at >36mph)
Manley’s Hill in June 2024
- 480,155 vehicles (average of 16,005 vehicles every day)
- Over 30mph = 202,924 (6,764 on average every day at >30mph)
- 36mph and over = 63,280 (2,109 on average every day at >36mph)
As at August 2024, Storrington’s local group has 24 volunteer roadside operators, and have the regular support of both the local neighbourhood policing officers, and the Roads Policing officers who may join a roadside session in order to stop speeding motorists.
Whilst one Laser device is on loan from the Police, the other two are owned by the group, one having been purchased as a result of crowd funding, which raised funding from a number of sources, including both the Parish Council and West Sussex County Council.
Leader of West Sussex County Council , Councillor Paul Marshall said:
“ I’ve known Storrington’s Speedwatchers for some time, and am impressed how they give their time freely and positively. I’ve had many discussions with both our local police and fellow councillors, and reached the conclusion that to see our own Speedwatchers at the roadside, encouraging drivers to observe the speed limits, and the support they receive from pedestrians, has proved to me they deserve this success. I’m glad WSCC was able to play its part!”
With 24 volunteer operators, Storrington Community Speedwatch is a leading group in West Sussex, and gains strong and regular support from Sussex Police, and Storrington Parish Council.
This all means that these volunteers will be able to continue to provide roadside sessions, and their visibility will encourage more drivers to drive safely.
Storrington Community Speedwatch volunteers were also able to provide a skeleton service throughout the Covid restrictions, thanks to the support of Sussex Police.
They continue to give their time to remind drivers of the speed limits in the area, and provide a vital service to keep pedestrians and other road users safe.
Once a group is trained to the Police standard the group will be insured by Sussex Police on our Public Liability Insurance providing the correct procedures are followed.
Various funding streams are open to groups to facilitate their own equipment, providing the equipment purchased is procured from our authorised supplier to meet strict criteria and certification the groups are free to purchase their own equipment if they wish – any addition to the equipment available will greatly improve the group’s ability to deploy and carry more roadside work.
Meanwhile, traffic doesn’t get any less in Storrington, working lives get busier, and sometime drivers drive too fast!
Storrington Community Speedwatch aims to encourage drivers to adhere to the speed limits in Storrington, and has found that since their inception in 2012, average speeds have come down.
However, as you have no doubt witnessed, – STILL MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE !
We know that most drivers when they see our yellow jackets remember the speed limit and slow down accordingly.
We are now seeking more volunteers to join our group, and in doing so you are providing a valuable service to your community.
If you would like to help protect our community, both motorists and pedestrians, including our young, older and vulnerable residents, then please contact us at storrcsw18@yahoo.com or to find out more about it all, go to www.communityspeedwatch.org
Storrington Community Speedwatch will be represented at Storrington on Show, come along and find out more.
Submitted to the Storrington Community Website using the News Item contact form.