BRIDPORT: Protestors use speed guns

The war between villagers and drivers on the main thoroughfare from Bridport to Lyme Regis is set to continue, albeit in a slightly less dramatic fashion to that which saw protestors hit the news earlier this year

Following a meeting between officials and villagers it was decided the protestors will become police volunteers to clock speeding motorists and collect data of the volume of traffic along the A35.

The volunteers will assist police and PCSOs as they continue to wage war on drivers, which has seen them stopping vehicles by repeatedly using the newly installed pedestrian crossing to halt the flow of traffic.

The speed watch idea is something of a compromise arranged by lead protestor Tony Fuller and Bridport’s Inspector Caroline Naughton.

Mr Fuller said: “The protest is still on hold and we are looking at other aspects of the protest to put forward and to come up with another plan. We will restart the protest and perhaps take it in another direction, but the first thing is to bring health and safety on board if we can.

“We are trying a different way only while the speed watch is on. If there’s no benefit from the speed watch then we reserve the right to continue the protest.

“Inspector Naughton said she wants us to be able to protest but not if it affects the community and not if queues of traffic are so long that emergency services find it hard to get through, then she would have to ask us to reduce the length of the protest.”

Traffic protests have been on hold while residents try to negotiate a solution to the problem, with Mr Fuller meeting with the Highways Agency and West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin.

A total of four separate demonstrations were held from May 5th.

The demonstrations were organised in protest against the HGV vehicles that use the route, increasing pollution levels and causing damage to the roads and buildings.

Protestors are hoping the demonstrations will re-ignite plans for a bypass.

Inspector Caroline Naughton described a meeting with Mr Fuller, arranged to asses the results of last weeks village meeting, as “constructive”. 

“We are just putting everything in place at the moment and hope to have the Speed Watch scheme in place before the end of school holidays,” said inspector Naughton.

“Most of the volunteers have to become police volunteers and we just have to do the paper work for that. A similar scheme has been piloted in Warmwell, near Dorchester, and it has worked well there.”

The volunteers will receive basic training, showing them how to use the equipment and what data is needed. Then once deployed will be working with police and PCSO, supporting them and carrying out.

 .ff