A MAJOR crackdown on speeding in a notorious Evesham accident blackspot caught 23 motorists travelling above the 60mph speed limit – with one motorcyclist clocking 94mph.
The clampdown was part of a joint policing operation took place on the A44 at Fish Hill on Sunday (August 25).
It resulted in more than 50 motorists and motorcyclists receiving education and enforcement for offences including speeding, number plate issues and inappropriate riding attire.
The operation was carried out by West Mercia Police and Gloucestershire Constabulary in response to a number of serious and fatal collisions involving motorbikes in the Cotswolds recently and to provide a highly visible deterrent to speeders and anti-social riders and drivers.
This action also followed complaints from residents through their safer neighbourhood team or parish council about noise and speeding issues.
Specialist units involving local safer neighbourhood teams, roads policing officers and speed enforcement officers were involved in the crackdown.
During the operation, 23 motorists were caught travelling above the 60mph speed limit which included 19 car drivers and four motorcyclists. The highest speeds recorded were a car travelling at 79mph by West Mercia officers and the motorcycle travelling at 94mph which was recorded by Gloucester Constabulary.
Thirty motorcyclists were stopped and given safety advice during the course of the operation, including six who were warned and advised regarding number plate offences and a further rider who was advised for not wearing appropriate riding clothing.
As well as education and enforcement activity, West Mercia Police officers carried out sound monitoring using equipment loaned by Highways England to measure the noise of vehicles and identify whether speeding traffic results in greater traffic noise.
Sound monitoring was carried out throughout the operation on both Fish Hill and within Broadway Village on Station Road. Results show that speed does not significantly correlate with an increase in noise from those vehicles.
Sgt Stuart Allen from West Mercia Police, said: “This was a very positive operation alongside our colleagues at Gloucestershire Constabulary, and a proactive opportunity to engage with motorists travelling on the A44 at Fish Hill and provide education and enforcement where appropriate.
“It was very encouraging to see the majority of motorists and motorcyclists driving or riding safely and adhering to the speed limit. However, operations like this one highlight to the minority who drive or ride dangerously or anti-socially that their activities will not be tolerated.
“It also demonstrates the police and the Safer Roads Partnership listen to community concern and act upon it where necessary.”
PC Nick Westmacott, from the Cotswold Neighbourhood Policing Team at Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “The response we have received to this operation has shown it served its purpose really well and we hope those spoken to listen to the advice and education given.
“Myself and PCSO Wilford worked in conjunction with our partners from West Mercia to plan and run this operation in response to two recent fatalities on the A44 and Fish Hill on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border.
“The aim of the joint operation was to engage and educate motorcyclists to the dangers of this fast road.
“Everyone we spoke to was very receptive and thanked us for making them aware of the dangers this road poses when travelling at speed.”
