In a new initiative for the area, a Neighbourhood Speed Watch Group has been set up which allows residents in Milnrow to monitor vehicle speeds on local roads.
Training is being given by police officers, while Rochdale Borough Council’s Impact Partnership is providing speed guns and high-visibility uniforms so residents can act as a visual deterrent.
They will make a note of any speeding vehicles, and this information will be passed on to police so officers can better understand the extent of the problem and take any action necessary.
It is hoped the initiative will be taken up in other areas of the borough in the near future.
Stuart Howarth, a Highways Casualty Reduction Officer at Rochdale Borough Council’s Impact Partnership, said: “This highly visible community initiative should encourage drivers to take their foot off the accelerator and respect speed limits in residential areas. An extra few miles an hour when driving won’t cut journey times much, but can be the difference between life and death for pedestrians.”
PC Robert Booth of the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We will monitor the intelligence gathered from this operation, and where it becomes apparent there is a problem we will follow up with enforcement action to catch offenders and show that speeding will not be tolerated.”
Councillor Martin Burke, Cabinet Member for Internal and Environmental Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is a great example of the police and communities working together to make our borough a safer place to live. Through regular PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings, residents are given an opportunity to raise their safety concerns, and schemes like this show that police are clearly listening to what they have to say.”
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Note to editors:
Rochdale borough has seen a reduction of more than 55 percent in incidents of road deaths or serious injuries in the last 10 years, and aims to reduce this figure further. The reduction has been achieved by a sustained focus on improving existing road designs, installing new safety features and through a variety of awareness and education campaigns. The council is introducing 20mph speed limits on roads around all schools in the borough.
Impact Partnership is a joint venture between Rochdale Borough Council and infrastructure and business services group Mouchel, supported by IT and business services company Agilisys. The Partnership provides services for highways and engineering, property, contact centre, ICT and payroll on the council’s behalf. To find out more go to www.impactpartnership.com
For non-emergency calls or to report a crime call police on 101, or for more information visit gmp.police.uk/rochdale
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Use 999 only in emergencies where there is a threat to life or property or a crime in progress.
For further information contact: Max Bowie, public relations officer for Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale and Wigan Divisions, on 0161 856 2275 / 07979 706797.