Local Conservative Borough and County Councillors work together to help improve road safety in Bedworth

Bedworth Heath's two Conservative Councillors, Barry Lobbett and Damon Brown, have joined forces to bring Warwickshire County Council's 'SpeedAware' flashing road signs to Smorrall Lane, Hospital Lane, Goodyers End Lane and Sutherland Drive, Bedworth.

Barry and Damon asked for action to be taken after listening to residents at the recent Community Forum meetings held at Bedworth's Newdigate Primary School and Race Leys School. People living in Hospital Lane and at the western end of Smorrall Lane as well as Goodyers End Lane and Sutherland Drive area voiced concerns about speeding traffic along roads close to their homes.

In stark contrast to the regular speed cameras in use in the town, which are viewed by many motorists as a money raising tax rather than an aid to safety, the 'SpeedAware' signs work by flashing a driver's speed on an illuminated board enabling the driver to adjust his or her speed. In this way they help educate drivers about their road speed.

SpeedAware is run by Warwickshire County Council's Road Safety Unit. It aims to help people address problems associated with speeding traffic in their area. The scheme consists of fixed and temporary flashing speed signs, and can be supported by publicity material distributed in the area where the signs are operating.  

As Councillor Damon Brown explained, "I know from talking to residents that speeding traffic is a real problem a number of areas of Bedworth Heath and other parts of the town. When I heard that the County Council had mobile signs available through the SpeedAware scheme I was determined they should be brought to Bedworth to help. This is the second time in less than a year we have brought these signs to the town. We hope to get them here on a regular basis so that drivers get the message that it's not smart to speed in Bedworth."

His colleague, Councillor Lobbett, who was also elected as a County Councillor in June this year added, "This is a great example of what can be achieved when Councillors at Borough and County levels work together to get something done. The 'SpeedAware' signs really do work and have a dramatic effect on drivers' speed."