MORE than 600 motorists have been caught breaking speed limits by a community group since April.

It follows a survey which said drivers broke the speed limit on a road between Oakdale, in Caerphilly, and Aberbeeg, in Blaenau Gwent, 80 per cent of the time.

The PRCP Action Group was formed in 2015, with the aim of highlighting the need for traffic calming measures along the old parish road, which has a limit of 30mph.

As part of their campaign for change, they began working with Gwent Police as a Community Speed Watch Group in April this year, and monitoring motorists with handheld speed guns.

They have since recorded over 650 motorists breaking the speed limit in the past five months - with top speeds of over 70 mph clocked.

The 'unclassified' road is said to lead from Pen-y-Fan Industrial Estate and is regularly used by HGV vehicles.

Members of the action group, which is based Aberbeeg, described being subjected to abuse by motorists for parking outside their houses due to the large volumes of traffic using the road, which falls under the responsibility of Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC).

A survey carried out by CCBC states that volumes of traffic have more than doubled in the last ten years, with an average of 5,300 vehicles using the road every day.

Action group chairman Roger Penny said: “Many residents are scared or concerned to go on the side of the road as we get abuse.

"People also get irritated with us using the speed guns.

“We get verbal abuse and gestures and for some it can be very off-putting.

"A lot of residents have to park their vehicles on the main road and receive abuse from drivers for that too.

“We feel that we have brought the residents together as a group and as a result of our campaigning, we have received improved signage letting drivers know about the speed and weight limits."

“We would also like to thank the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, who donated £500 to us to start the group up," he added.

The speed watch scheme operates on roads with speed limits of 40mph or below. Volunteers work alongside Gwent Police officers to identify vehicles exceeding limits.

If a vehicle is seen breaking the limit, the registration number is taken and verified by volunteers. It is then stored in a database and a letter is automatically produced informing the driver of their offence.

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

A CCBC spokeswoman added: “We have been in regular contact with the Aberbeeg speed group and in addressing their concerns have reviewed all traffic signs and road markings in this particular area.

“As a result, we have committed to a programme of improvement works, which includes maintenance and replacement of existing signs, road markings and coloured surfacing where required."

For more information, visit www.gwent.pcc.police.uk.