Forest Hill, London SE23 – new initiative to persuade speeding motorists to slow down

Many of the roads in Forest Hill (London SE23) and in the rest of Lewisham are now 20mph. This move is certainly very welcome as the risk of serious injury and death increases dramatically as traffic speeds approach 30 mph and above.

Unfortunately, although some adhere to the new speed limit, too many drivers don't and at the same time some, a minority, drive recklessly putting both themselves and other road users in danger. 

Given stretched resources for the Police, this new initiative – Lewisham Community Road Watch scheme – looks to be well worth supporting. 

Letter from Michael Hill of the Forest Hill section of the Met outlining the new scheme:   

    

'PL - Lewisham Borough PL - Forest Hill SNT

Catford Hill Police Station

128 Catford Hill
Catford

London SE6 4PS

Tel; 0208 721 2723

Michael.R.Hill@met.pnn.police.uk

www.met.police.uk

7th March 2017

 

Dear Resident,

I am writing to inform you of a new initiative that I feel you may wish to participate in. This is the Lewisham Community Road Watch scheme, a joint initiative between Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police. It is designed to address community concerns of speeding in the local area. It allows volunteers from the community to work with the police using speed monitoring equipment to identify and educate drivers found exceeding the speed limit.

How it works:

·      Volunteer(s) join a Safer Transport Police Community Support officer at a specified location.

·      The volunteer uses the speed detection device to check the speed of vehicles. · Any vehicle exceeding the speed limit has its Vehicle Registration Mark and speed recorded and a warning letter is sent to the registered keeper by Transport for London. · Volunteers are provided with a high visibility vest and are required to sign a disclaimer which will be explained fully to those wishing to participate.

·      All sites are risk assessed in advance.

·      The sessions would run for one to two hours.

The events are run by a Safer Transport Police Community Support Officer. A Police Officer cannot be present as they would be expected to stop the vehicles and report offences at the scene. Volunteers cannot participate on the road they live on as this could lead to a dispute with neighbours. However, you can suggest locations where these actions will take place. The speed gun can not be loaned out to residents without the attendance of a Safer Transport PCSO as the equipment is supplied to the Safer Transport Teams to run the events for Transport for London.

If you wish to take part in this scheme, know of a suitable location or require further information then please go to; Lewishamcommunityroadwatch@met.pnn.police.uk.

Yours sincerely,

Michael 195PL, Michael Hill PC 195PL (DWPC)

Follow us on Twitter at - @MPSForestHill MetSec'