A DALE parish council’s “trendsetting” Speedwatch team is so successful it is being used as an example in other villages in County Durham.
Etherley and Toft Hill’s Speedwatch group has seven volunteers who regularly monitor traffic along the A68 passing through the villages, issuing warning letters to those who ignore the 30mph limit.
Etherley Parish Council recently bought new equipment, including a handheld speed gun for the team, which is led by Cllr Janet Balmer.
The volunteers’ work was praised by police during the council’s annual meeting in May.
PCSO Ian Osborne said he was frequently being asked by other neighbourhood police teams to help recreate Etherley’s success in their villages.
He said: “The equipment I think is brilliant. You will be trendsetters.”
Having their own equipment means the group can hold speedwatch activities when it suits them, rather than waiting for the police matrix to become available.
The kit is also a lot lighter and easier to handle.
