Local residents are helping Police to reduce speeding in the town

Local People in Thornbury are helping to keep the roads safer for everyone by volunteering to carry out speed checks.

PCSO Dawn Golding said: "Community Speed Watch started running in Thornbury on the 11th October. In just 10 days they caught more than 70 people speeding. We know that speed is a key factor in many collisions and Speed Watch helps us remind people of that risk."

Six volunteers have been trained to use speed detection equipment in Gillingstool, Grovesend Road, Morton Way, Gloucester Road and Upper Morton.

PCSO Golding said: "These are all places where local people have told us they are worried about speeding – especially as three of them are close to schools. The volunteers can't issue tickets, but they pass the registration numbers of speeding vehicles to us and we write a warning letter to the registered keeper."

The police have confirmed that If a vehicle is repeatedly clocked speeding, the volunteers could be joined by a police officer with the power to issue a penalty notice.

Scheme co-ordinator Terry Osborne said: "As I'm retired I am quite happy to spend some time doing this for the benefit of the community."

Avon & Somerset Police are still looking to recruit more volunteers for the project so if you have a few hours a month to spare and would like to help monitor traffic speeds in the town then why not contact PCSO Golding at Thornbury Police Station on 0845 456 7000 or by e-mailing ssnthornbury@avonandsomerset.police.uk.

So far Neighbourhood police have carried out 16 hours of speed checks in Castle Street in response to residents' concerns of speeding, the Police speed checks were held at different times and six drivers were prosecuted. More were sent warning letters reminding them to stick to 30mph in built-up areas.