Last Friday was a Kent Speedwatch Action Day and the volunteer Sandgate Speedwatch Team joined in.
Although we have been doing Speedwatch sessions in Sandgate pretty much every week at various locations through the Parish through 2024, we wanted to join the County-wide day, and had a late afternoon session on West Road opposite the newly opened children’s playground.
We were shocked, but sadly not surprised. Local residents have told us regularly there is a speeding problem on West Road. They were right.
In all other locations in Sandgate in 2024 we have seen really good compliance with the speed limit. We have recorded very few people over 35mph. On West Road 9 vehicles, over 4%, were travelling above 35mph – by a children’s playground, remember – with top speeds over 50mph. We have, as ever, reported all our findings to Kent Police, and will be further raising the need for more safety measures along there with Kent Highways.
The speed limit on North Road and West Road always has been, and remains, 30mph. No higher, and especially not now there is a playground there. Community SpeedWatch is entirely run by volunteers, and seeks to raise awareness of the speed of traffic. It raises no money for the Council, Police or others.
We’re delighted for any local resident who wants to help raise awareness of speeds on local roads to join our team (you need to complete an online training course, then we ask you to join a session a week): you can learn more at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/2023/11/28/can-you-join-the-sandgate-kent-speedwatch-volunteer-team/