A TOWN council wants to crack down on speeding motorists who are putting the lives of residents at risk.

Richard Smith

A TOWN council wants to crack down on speeding motorists who are putting the lives of residents at risk.

Councillors in Aldeburgh will discuss proposals to spend about £2,000 on buying a speed gun which would be used by police officers and volunteers in monitoring the speed of drivers in the area.

They admit they are increasingly concerned about the speeds reached by motorists, particularly on the Saxmundham Road and Leiston Road, and town councillor Felicity Bromage warned she had nearly been hit by a driver.

Nikki Carrier, a member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, told a full council meeting that Suffolk police only had one speed gun for the Leiston and Aldeburgh area.

Pc Carrier said another speed gun was used in the Framlingham and Saxmundham district and the town council would need to decide whether it wanted to buy a gun for its own area.

She added she could not be on duty to catch motorists all the time and help was needed from the community.

Cllr Bromage said: “Every car coming in and out of Aldeburgh along the Saxmundham Road is going faster than 40mph - and yet the speed limit is 30mph. For a long time we have needed to look at the speeding problems in Aldeburgh.''

Councillors also warned Aldeburgh had a major problem with drivers abusing parking regulations.

Pc Carrier said an increasing number of fixed penalty notices, which have a £30 fine, had been handed out.

From July to December 2006, there were 31 tickets; Jan to June 2007, 50; July to December 2007, 109 and up until May there were 49 tickets.

She added: “The majority of these were given out for contravening parking restrictions within the High Street and parking within the Crabbe Street car park without a current permit to do so.

“I do appreciate how difficult it is to park within the High Street and surrounding area but you will receive a parking ticket if caught contravening these restrictions.

“Some cars have received a ticket every day for a week but it does not seem to bother them.”

Parish councils in Great Finborough, Hitcham and Bildeston, near Stowmarket, are spending up to £3,000 on a speed camera, warning road signs and reflective clothing.

Anyone caught will be written to by the force, if they are caught a second time by the volunteers they will receive a stronger letter, and for a third offence they will be prosecuted.