Good Morning,

Unfortunately, last month our speed detections rose from 280 in March, to 375 In April which is very disappointing, however I guess it is good news that we are catching them and hopefully preventing some accidents. With this being our second successive monthly rise, I can only think with the lighter evenings, there are more motorists out and visiting our fabulous area, so we will continue with this campaign for the foreseeable until motorists finally get the message. I have plans to carry out extra checks in the Richmond area working alongside the Community Speedwatch team and we have plans in place to tackle the minority of anti social and dangerous motorcyclists that visit us across the Dales.

This is still well down on the first month we started promoting this issue as in October 2023 it was 584, so I am satisfied overall and our total since October 2023 now stands at 1909. If we are being totally honest, we will never see no speeding motorists, but if there is a deterrent out there, then I am sure this will help make our roads much safer.  

The 2 worst offenders caught and prosecuted in April were a driver clocked doing 43MPH in a 30MPH on Leyburn Road, Catterick Garrison and another one clocked doing a ridiculous and dangerous speed of 93MPH in a 60 MPH on the A6055 near to Catterick village where there are many junctions.

As a direct result from surveys and personal contact to me, we have been on patrol at many of the following areas throughout April conducting speed enforcement and will continue to do so (please see some attached photos of the areas we are targeting). 

Since October 2023, as a result of residents feedback, I have identified several locations in the Richmond area, 3 locations at Leyburn, Skeeby, Hudswell, Aldbrough St John, Catterick Village/Garrison, Manfield, Eppleby, Stapleton, Dalton On Tees, Melsonby, West/East Witton, Tunstall, Carlton, Cleasby, Scotton, Gilling West, East/West Layton, Redmire, Scorton, Brompton on Swale, Bellerby, Hunton, Patrick Brompton, Middleham, Hawes, Grinton, Askrigg, Reeth, Aysgarth, Harmby villages, plus Newbiggin near to the Street Head Inn as areas to target.

 There are even more locations that our Safety Camera Vans will be appearing at on the main roads, so my message to anyone coming to our beautiful and very fine County of Richmondshire is, if you speed, you are now much more likely to be caught and prosecuted. Depending on the level of speed, you may be offered a Speed Awareness Course or a roadside warning. To clarify, these locations above are the ones my Community Team will target whilst on patrol at random times, so it is an extra level of service being provided to what you have been used to. 

If you have any concerns in relation to speeding in your area, it is very important that you report it via the link below. This is because they look at the bigger picture, such as traffic calming measures, warning signs, safety camera van placements, strips across the road to monitor speed etc. Please be aware there is a long list of reports they are working through, so there will be a long delay in them responding to you.

Speeding - Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire (northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk)

Finally, it is vitally important to me that I receive feedback (you can respond quickly below) in respect of this issue, whether that be positive or negative, I do not mind, plus I do quite like a personal message, so let me know if you think this is making a difference where you live? 

I hope you all have a nice day and really do appreciate your time reading this and please remember, we cannot be everywhere, BUT we can be anywhere at any time. 

Kind Regards

Martin Metcalfe

Inspector 583

Richmondshire Community Team