Village ‘vigilantes’ gunning for speeding drivers on tourist route

A VILLAGE on one of Scotland’s busiest tourist routes is attempting to take matters into its own hands after speeding motorists ignored attempts to slow them down with a new speed limit.

The villagers of Lochawe are looking to set up a community-run speed trap, which will be only the second to be established in Scotland.

Volunteers are planning to buy a speed gun, which they will use to measure the speeding of passing drivers, and then collect their details.

The information will then be passed to the police, which will issue warning notices to drivers.

The initiative started after villagers grew tired of cars racing along the A85 from Oban to Perth, which passes through the centre of Lochawe.

The speed limit was reduced to 30mph from 40mph, but residents say that the new limit has made little difference to drivers’ speed.

The A85 is a walking route for high school pupils, raising concerns about their safety.

It is thought that the community speed scheme could act as a blueprint for “speed vigilantes” in other villages in the Highlands.

Inspector Mark Stephen of Oban Police Station welcomed the bid and added: “The community wants to fund its own speed gun and carry out speed checks. They will do the check, note the registration numbers and pass the information to us and we will send out warning letters.

“It will be the first in our area. It is a good idea because it comes from the local community asking people not to speed in their area, which can be quite effective. And we know that when high visibility speed checks are carried out, the traffic usually slows down.

“This is a good initiative and we will support the community to get it in place.”

The community speed watch scheme will be the second in Scotland after a similar initiative in Cowdenbeath, Fife.

A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland is happy to engage with communities who perceive they have a speeding problem to discuss options to deter motorists from speeding and educate them about the dangers of driving at excessive speed.”

This is a good initiative and we will support it