Police to carry out speed checks in Northumberland village after residents raise concerns

Drivers have been unofficially clocked at speeds of up to 60mph in the village’s 30mph zone, with thousands more breaking the limit on Main Street every month.

Recent reports of police speed checks being carried out in Bamburgh, Powburn, Warkworth, Wark on Tweed and Cornhill prompted the parish council to make a request.

Sgt Shona Vickers of Northumbria Police, in her letter of response, writes: ‘I have been made aware of your concerns in relation to drivers speeding through Lowick village.

‘In the first instance I will allocate officers to attend the area and conduct speed checks/enforce the speed limit using our speed gun. I will also make the camera enforcement unit aware and forward them the most recent data which you sent through.’

The most recent data collected from the village’s electronic speed warning sign indicates nearly 6,000 drivers broke the limit in November.

Those speeding averaged 34-35mph, with speeds slightly higher among drivers coming in from the east.

John Huddart, parish council chairman, said: “We are pleased that the police have said they will send a car to discourage speed, and that they will look at the data we painstakingly record and report on each month.

“We are concerned about speeding in the village, and are working with the Northumberland County Council to introduce traffic calming measures that offer appropriate protection.”

He added: “Our concerns frequently relate to speeding lorries - which travelling west to east are heading downhill.

“Ours is also the diversionary route for A1 closures - adding to the volume of traffic and possibly more likely to attract speeders.”

The speed of tractors is also a concern, especially at harvest time.

He said he been told that while a temporary 20mph speed limit could operate at the beginning and end of the school day, it was not considered appropriate for the whole village.

Coun Huddart also felt there was a need to educate drivers about cutting their speeds before they enter the 30mph zone.