Learning from Lamerton.

We spoke with Yorkie Malone, the resident and speed campaigner in Lamerton about what promted their village to address speeding, and how the activities have galvanised the community and made a tangible difference to safety within the village.

‘I wanted to campaign originally back in 1983 to get Lamerton a 30mph limit as at that time there was no speed limit. I engaged with the then local councilor and police and was able after much red tape to get the 30mph limit introduced.

We also managed to get street lights, as at that time a 30mph could not be implemented without this.

I then knocked on doors (pre covid) and asked locals to create and display 30mph signs on their property and gardens and invited locals to a meeting in the village hall. Signs were made and installed.

Also a safety camera system was installed that logs vehicles, times and speed, building a vital data record for authorities in any future traffic calming measures.

During lock-down we noticed what we considered ‘locals’ speeding again when the traffic was light. Unable to knock on doors, we leafleted the villagers asking once agian for signs. The recent response from the community was fantastic, fresh signs went up and the scheme has been a success.

Speeding in villages in a National issue that appears to be getting worse but there is satisfaction in our community effort ,to have played a significant part in increasing compliance to the important 30mph zones in the village.

Good luck to Milton Abbot!’