DRIVERS have been recorded speeding at 75mph in 30mph zones as villagers seek to catch them out.

North Leigh residents have brought back a speedwatch group after Covid-19 restrictions eased.

Group members have been out tracking motorists with a speed gun, stationing themselves at known speeding hotspots.

Data from Oxfordshire County Council – collected via rubber strips that go across the road – revealed startling results.

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Between June 7 and 13, the highest recorded speed in Common Road, a 30mph zone, was 75mph.

Of the 26,229 vehicles recorded in the survey, 11,236 (42.8 per cent) were caught speeding at more than 30mph and 3,518 (13.4 per cent) above 35mph.

Meanwhile, in East End, of the 15,317 vehicles recorded, 7,572 (49.4 per cent) were found to be going at more than 30mph, and 2,374 (15.5 per cent) at over 35mph.

Highs of 60mph were recorded in East End.

What must be factored into these numbers is that bicycles using the road were also recorded, which brings down the overall percentage.

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North Leigh parish councillor Andy Clements explained why the work of the speedwatch group is so important.

He said: “It’s really good to be back carrying out speedwatch monitoring again.

“The results of a survey carried out by the parish council in 2020 highlighted the fact that road safety and particularly vehicle speeds, featured very strongly in residents’ list of concerns.”

The group records the vehicle make and model, and speed, of offending drivers.

Those details are reported to the police, with a ‘polite letter’ written to drivers in order discourage a repeat offence.

Mr Clements said the team’s presence on the side of the road was helping reinforce speed limits with road users.

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County councillor Liam Walker, whose Hanborough and Minster Lovell division includes North Leigh, has recently joined the speedwatch group.

He said: “I’m really pleased to see the North Leigh speedwatch group back up and running after sadly having to halt their sessions due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“Speedwatch groups are a brilliant way to involve the community in helping to tackle the issues around speeding that is sadly all too common in our villages.

“As a local county councillor, I find the data collected from these groups to be really helpful.

“With this data, it allows me to explore ways with our highways team at Oxfordshire County Council as to whether traffic calming measures would have a positive impact in helping to reduce speeding in a particular area.

“I look forward to helping this group again in North Leigh and other groups in my division in the near future.”

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