COMMUNITY concern at speeding led to police carrying out checks there recently when a number of motorists were spoken to.

Local Policing Officer PC Paul Downes carried out the speed checks in Icknield Street Drive on Friday, September 16 using a hand-held laser device mounted on a tripod.

No Fixed Penalty Notices were issued but a number of motorists who had marginally exceeded the 40 miles per hour limit there were requested to stop and advised about their driving. PC Downes was accompanied by the Redditch borough and county councillor, Juliet Brunner, who represents Matchborough, and Alan Walker, chairman of Ryknild Residents Association and the borough tenants forum.

Coun Brunner said that residents had asked for the speed checks there after the use of a Vehicle Activated Sign - which tells drivers to slow down - over a four-week period indicated that a substantial number of drivers were exceeding the limit.

She said: "There have been two fatalities on the road in recent years and the issue of speeding there has been raised at PACT (Partners And Communities Together) meetings including a street meeting at the Matchborough Centre in July when more than 30 people mentioned it.

"During the checks we talked to drivers who had exceeded the limit about the dangers on that road - there is a school nearby as well as a skate park and BMX track used by youngsters. We also told them about how local people feel about the issue, that this is our community and we want them to take care when driving through it.

"I do believe we have raised awareness and if that is the case then that's certainly a positive outcome. We will look to repeat this exercise in the future."

PC Downes said: "Speeding has been raised regularly at our PACT meetings and echoes similar priorities in other areas. Community safety is at the top of our agenda and we are liaising with our traffic advisors and the Safer Roads Partnership with a view to further speed checks being carried out here in Matchborough."