Speeding drivers in our sights: New speed guns to be used in notorious hot spots

Top-of-the-range equipment that can be used to identify and prosecute speeding drivers is being rolled out at problem areas across the borough of Rochdale.

The council’s community safety team in partnership with Rochdale police have bought four new speed guns to help catch more dangerous drivers.

According to national statistics, more than half of drivers on 30mph roads regularly exceed the speed limit and a quarter of road fatalities involve someone who was driving too fast.

The Greater Manchester Police-led operation will allow police officers to identify people driving over the speed limit in hot spot areas across Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the Pennines. 

They will be a regular sight on the roads and streets, to help prevent speeding and dangerous reckless driving, which is a high priority locally.

Councillor Susan Smith, cabinet member for communities and cooperation, said: "I am so pleased that funding from the Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership (RSCP) has allowed this joint project between Greater Manchester Police and the council, enabling us to use these 4 speed guns. I want to make the borough aware that we are taking speeding offences very seriously and this is just another way we are doing all we can to tackle that."

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for highways and housing said: “Keeping our roads safe is a high priority, I am happy that these speed guns will be visible in our townships, following requests from residents. If you want more information on how to be part of a forum or area forum, information is available on our website.”

Rochdale's Chief Inspector Danny Atherton said: “GMP takes road safety extremely seriously, and we are pleased to see the introduction of these additional speed guns. In 2021, we launched Operation Navigator here in Rochdale to address increasing concerns around road safety. As part of this, we have several tactics in place to target speeding, anti-social driving, no insurance along with other areas of concern. These new, top of the range, speed guns will enable us to prosecute those caught speeding on our roads as part of this on-going work, to help improve the safety of our roads and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. We will continue to take appropriate action against those who drive above the speed limit or dangerously, as well as continuing our work with the local authority and partners on road safety, to help keep residents of Rochdale safe."

Information about area forums can be found at Townships and Community Grants (rochdale.gov.uk)