DRIVERS have been warned to slow down after a second community speedwatch scheme was launched in the Wye Valley.

The new Tintern scheme follows two others in Monmouthshire – in Llanfair Kil-geddin, near Abergavenny, launched last June, and Llandogo, launched last month.

Eight villagers have teamed up with Gwent Police to help crack down on speeding through the Wye Valley village and past Tintern Abbey.

The scheme trains volunteers to monitor passing vehicles, and aims to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding while addressing concerns of residents.

It operates on roads with speed limits of 40mph or below. Volunteers work alongside Gwent Police or police community support officers to identify vehicles exceeding the speed limit.

Roadside volunteers are provided with high-visibility jackets, roadside signs and are trained to use the equipment and record details of offending vehicles.

If a vehicle exceeds the limit, the registration number will be taken down.

The details are then entered onto a database from which a letter is automatically produced informing the registered owner that their vehicle has been noted to have exceeded the speed limit, the dangers of doing so and the consequences if they’re found speeding again.

If the same number is logged three times, more formal action may be taken.

Co-ordinator Emily Godsell said: “This is a great initiative which allows residents to take some positive action.

"The other schemes in Monmouthshire are working well and we hope the scheme will see equal success in Tintern.

“Speeding is regularly raised as a concern by residents and the additional presence of Community Speedwatch volunteers at the roadside will prove to have a positive effect on getting drivers to slow down in other areas.”

“The scheme will be rolled out to other areas in Monmouthshire in the future.”

If you want to get involved, contact Emily.godsell@gwent.pnn.police.uk