Road Safety and Community Speed Watch

Written by Town Councillor Peter Harris

Some Ingress Park residents will have seen the Community Speed Watch team on Ingress Park Avenue (IPA) . Despite signs at both ends of IPA indicating a 20 mph limit, quite a number don’t seem to adhere to this limit. Small repeater signs will be installed at various points to remind drivers, courtesy of the SGRA’s KCC Councillor Peter Harman.

Since the easing of lockdown, there has been an increasing number of drivers exceeding the limit by over 50% (30mph plus) and those that are recorded will receive advice from the police.  Frequently, the team also witness a sudden dipping of the front of the vehicle indicating sharp braking once the driver realizes there is a speed monitoring device ahead. In addition it has also been noticed by the team that whilst driving at speed some are using their phones. There are others with young children in the front seat, some wearing the adult seat belt and some not.  Either way this practice is extremely dangerous apart from being illegal and if the driver has to stop suddenly, their child will fly out of the seat with or without the seatbelt fitted and through the windscreen probably being killed or seriously injured.

Several residents from other parts of Swanscombe and Greenhithe have reported speeding on their streets and if they wish to do something about it they can by creating their own speed watch team, receive some training both theory and practical.  It is simple, effective and creates a community spirit.

Click on the image to learn more about starting a watch in your street.