District and Parish Councillors aim to Drive Down Speeds in the Village of Bridgerule

A collective effort by Torridge District and Bridgerule Parish Councillors has resulted in the installation of new speed warning signs near the school in the village. Bridgerule has seen a steady growth in housing over recent years in both cross subsidised and shared equity, housing trust developments. All of this has seen an influx of families back into the community and with this a rise in the number of children attending the local school with, the rollcall climbing from a figure of less than 20 a few years ago to the current total of 79.

While this has been great news for the growth and vibrancy of the village it's also brought more cars onto the school run, with the school situated on a busy narrow country road. The increased traffic and the speeds at which they sometimes travel has been an issue for some time, but the councillors, with support from local businesses and individuals, decided to tackle this head on and applied to Devon County Council to have three speed warning signs installed, funded and purchased by the local community. The signs flash up a reminder of the current 30mph speed limit to those travelling too fast, although there is also an application with Devon County to reduce the speed limit still further to 20mph.

Local Bridgerule resident and Leader of Torridge District Council, Ken James, contributed £1,000 from his councillor grant to the appeal for funds, persuading fellow Torridge councillors Pete Watson and Kit Hepple to also contribute £500 each. The funds have also enabled a community speed watch programme to be implemented, which has introduced volunteers recording speeding motorists with hand held speed guns in an attempt to reduce speeds in hot spots, such as near the school.

Councillor Ken James - Leader of Torridge District Council said:

"I'm really glad that everyone involved was able to come together to address the problem of speeding within the village. The school has gone from strength to strength with more pupils enrolling but this has increased their exposure to more cars, often travelling way too fast. The parish council and the school felt the time was right to act and to try and nudge and educate people into better behaviour and reduce the risk of a serious incident. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project, particularly the chair of the parish council and the volunteers who continue to give up their spare time to take part in the ongoing speed watch scheme."

Picture Back Row L-R - Councillor Ken James, Kelvin Davey, John McDougall, Sheila Chowill, Sam Treyford, David Hale, Julia Treyford - Front Row Bridgerule School Pupils - Jack Davey, Josh Cobbledick

10 March 2023