A NEW machine will help put the brakes on speeding motorists in Petersfield thanks a community group and East Hampshire District Council.
The new Speed Limit Reminder will flash warnings at speeding drivers and record data about traffic movements and speeds.
Paid for by the East Petersfield Community Group it has been installed on Durford Road, which is a hot-spot for speeding cars.
Residents living along the road have campaigned for some years to get speeding issues addressed.
There has been reported cases of pets being hit and injured or killed by vehicles using the road, which leads to the Taro?Leisure Centre and offices of East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) at Penns Place.
The campaigners have expressed fears that one day a child could get injured.
East Petersfield Community Group chairman Steve Dewey said: “Speeding has been a long-running battle in this part of Petersfield, as it is elsewhere in the town.
“As a result the group here has raised enough money to buy the speed limit reminder which will help bring speeds down and help keep our residents safe.”
As well as Durford Road, it will be used on roads in the town thought to have speeding problems.
As cars approach the machine, it will flash up the speed limit, and remind drivers to slow down.
It will not be used to impose fines, but it will record the volume and average speeds of vehicles using the road.
This information will feed into decisions about speed enforcement and other traffic management issues.
The machine cost £3,270, which was raised with the help of EHDC councillors for Petersfield.
Cllrs Julie Butler and Ben Bentley each donated £1,000, as did former district councillor Philip Aiston.
Cllr Julie Butler, councillor for the area and EHDC Portfolio Holder for Customer Service, said: “This is a fantastic piece of equipment which will encourage drivers to slow down and drive safely.
“It won’t just be used here on Durford Road, but at many places around the town.
“I am very happy to have been able to help fund it’s purchase.”