Trained by Sussex Police, all Community Speedwatch volunteers operate under a police approved code of practice at sites selected by the volunteers and risk-assessed by the police. Speeding vehicle information is reported to the police, who then send a warning letter to the registered owner. Two time speeders are sent a final warning and three time speeders are contacted directly by the police. The scheme is administratively supported by Sussex Police Volunteers.

The Officer who co – ordinates the scheme in Wealden, Pcso Iain Tompsett, has trained 9 Parishioners, 3 Councillors and the Parish Clerk. Training covers the use of the hand held Speed Monitoring Device (This is lent free of charge by the Police), and the system of recording and reporting details of vehicles exceeding the margin permitted. The Police margin of “10% + 2mph” is applied to the limits in force at the sites; therefore, vehicle details are recorded if exceeding 35 M.P.H. in a 30 M.P.H. limit area and 46 M.P.H. in a 40 M.P.H. area.

There are currently 13 schemes operating in Wealden with the nearest being at Buxted, and it is understood that this has been successful in reducing average speeds through this village. 

The Rotherfield Group started monitoring vehicles in December 2011 and the following sites are currently authorised by Sussex Police for use.

Rotherfield Village.

• At entrance to Court Meadow monitoring vehicles using Mayfield Road.
•  Bus stop by the Millennium Green monitoring vehicles in Station Road.
• Lay by at Town Row between Yew Tree Lane and Bletchinglye Lane junctions monitoring vehicles on the       B2100.

 Mark Cross

• Opposite the 40mph vehicle activated sign monitoring vehicles on the A267.
  

The Speed monitoring device is capable of recording the speeds of vehicles either approaching or departing the site.

 It is intended to post details of the results of the Groups activity on this site and over time the hope is that the Parish will become known as a location where speeds are monitored, thus leading to motorists becoming more aware of the limits to which they are supposed keep.

 If you are interested in becoming a volunteer of the “Speedwatch” group in the Parish, please contact the Council’s Highways Committee Chairman, Colin Clibbens on 07785 366435/01892 852062 or rotherfieldspeedwatch@gmail.com.   Training takes around 2 hours and the monitoring sessions last for around 1 hour.