THE fourth community speedwatch scheme in Monmouthshire has been launched in Usk.

Eleven residents have teamed up with Gwent Police to help crack down on speeding motorists in the area.

The community speedwatch scheme, which trains volunteers to monitor passing vehicles that are driving above the speed limit, was first launched in Llanfair Kilgeddin, near Abergavenny in June of last year, and more recently in Llandogo and Tintern.

The scheme is a community-led initiative and aims to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding while addressing concerns of local residents about motorists speeding through their neighbourhoods.

It operates on roads with speed limits of 40mph or below and will cover Abergavenny Road in Usk following concerns from the local residents about the speed of vehicles along this stretch of road.

The team of residents who have signed up to the scheme have been trained to monitor passing vehicles that are driving above the speed limit. They work alongside Gwent Police officers or community support officers.

If a vehicle is seen breaking the speed limit, the registration number will be taken down and verified by the volunteers.

The details are then entered onto a database from which a letter is automatically produced informing the registered owner 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.

While no prosecutions or penalties are received as a direct result, if the same registration number is logged three times, more formal action may be taken.

Co-ordinator for the scheme Emily Godsell said: “This is a fantastic initiative where local residents are involved, helping to tackle issues in their communities. 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. Anyone interested in signing up to the scheme must be over the age of 18 and may need to go through a vetting process, depending on the type of role within the scheme, which can take about three months.

Volunteers are provided with high visibility jackets, roadside signs and will receive specialist training to use the equipment and record details of offending vehicles. To find out more information about volunteering, please e-mail Emily.god sell@gwent.pnn.police.uk