MVAS and Community Speedwatch
Monitoring traffic speed and volume on our roads
MVAS
Have you noticed the illuminated speed limit signs in the village and wondered who looks after them? The Parish Council owns the two signs that are moved around the village on a regular basis, and the signs are looked after by Cllr Geoff Cox. The signs are known as Mobile Vehicle-Actuated Sign (MVAS) units.
We have nine locations around the village where the MVAS units can be placed, and they can be set to monitor either traffic direction. The MVAS units can be set to display either '30 mph Slow Down' or '40 mph Slow Down' using an internal switch so the same MVAS unit can be used in both 30 mph and 40 mph speed limit locations. The units are moved to a new location every six weeks.
The MVAS units record the date, time and speed of every vehicle passing the unit (regardless of whether the speed limit has been exceeded). A complete log of the data is passed to the police to keep them informed and to highlight any speeding issues at a particular location.
The same data is also passed to the Community Speedwatch team so they can monitor any hotspots with their video capture equipment which could result in warning letters or even fines being issued to drivers.
Community Speedwatch
You may have seen the Stoke Poges Speedwatch volunteers out and about around the village with their camera, operating in line with Thames Valley Police guidance. In addition, yellow Speedwatch signs are on display on the roadway entry points to the village, advising all motorists that they are entering a Speedwatch patrolled area. These patrols and signs aim to educate drivers that it is not acceptable to speed through the village - but we do have a long way to go as there have been offenders logged doing 90 mph within the 30 mph zones.
If you are concerned about speeding in the village and would like to get involved, we could always do with more volunteers to help out. You can do as much or as little as you can afford time-wise; training will be given on how to use the equipment and you will always be deployed with another volunteer. You would have to complete some online training and pass a test to go out on patrol, but all readily achievable and we can even help with the online training, if you don't get on with computers etc. We could do with a few more volunteers from the north and west of the village.
If you believe that a particular road could do with an occasional speed check, do get in touch with your suggestions.
To find out more or to get involved, please get in touch via the Clerk to the Council or stop and have a chat with the volunteers who can explain what we do.
