Spalding - we need your help to tackle speeding drivers

Volunteers from parishes in South Holland, determined to join the crackdown on speeding drivers, took part in the latest training session in Spalding.

However, there was disappointment from district councillor Jan Whitbourn, who is also the area’s police volunteer coordinator for Community Speedwatch, that not more people from Spalding itself turned out.

Community Speedwatch is a volunteer-led programme that allows members of the public to conduct high-visibility roadside checks in 20mph, 30mph and 40mph areas. They must work in groups and the scheme is managed by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

Aware that there have been concerns over road safety, visibility and speed in parts of the town, Jan said she hoped more people from Spalding would support the training and information session. This was held at the Castle Sports Complex last Monday (February 25).

Spalding St John’s ward councillor, Jack McLean, has been stepping up his calls for road safety measures in the area, particularly following an incident where a car demolished a wall and hit a house in a crash on Winsover Road in January.

He said it was a miracle nobody was seriously injured - and he has held recent public meetings to hear from residents on measures that could make Winsover Road, Pennygate and their connected junctions safer for drivers and residents.

Jan, who represents the Whaplode and Holbeach St Johns ward for the district council, said: “I must have dropped off about 1,000 leaflets in Pennygate and Winsover Road and around the area about the training session - but only two people turned up from Spalding. We had around 24 people altogether though, with people coming from the villages. It saddened me that I leaflet dropped, but only two came.

“There is a lot of discussion about speeding in the town and I do understand that. We are trying to say, come on, let’s do something about it. We need to take it seriously and get people volunteering.”

PCSO Sally Pusey was at the meeting last Monday, and showed volunteers how a speed gun works.

There are still a few hurdles to get over to enable the scheme to run in Spalding, but Jan is confident it will happen.

• To find out more about Community Speedwatch and the next training session, contact Coun Jan Whitbourn on 07779 895388 or email jan@tulip-events.co.uk