Somerset village hopes to tackle speeding with new camera

It is hoped the camera will slow motorists down, even if it doesn't threaten points or fines

A village is hoping to tackle "rat running" and speeding with the first speed camera of its kind in the area.

Residents of Brent Knoll in Somerset had expressed their fears over the number of motorists driving too fast through the village.

The parish council, with the help of Avon and Somerset Police, has now bought an automatic number plate recognition camera.

Drivers who speed past it will get warning letters from the police.

Councillor Bob Filmer said the parish council put £1,000 towards the £6,000 camera, with Avon and Somerset Police contributing the rest.

It is hoped the camera - first reported by Burnham-on-Sea.com - which looks similar to speed cameras which lead to fines being issued, will act as a deterrent, slowing people down.

"It's designed with the yellow specifically to be very visible because the plan is not for it to be hidden, it's for people to realise that this is something they want to slow down for," Mr Filmer said.

"We found with the speedwatch, most people are not speeding because they're determined to speed, it's because they tend to forget when they're driving just how quickly they are going.

"It's there as a reminder to slow people down - we're not looking to catch people out."

Mr Filmer said residents have noticed drivers using Brent Street and Burton Row to cut through to Burnham-on-Sea more quickly.

He added that one of the advantages of the new camera is that it will operate 24/7.

'Full-time deterrent'

"The speedwatch groups can only go out there at certain times of the day when the weather is safe enough," he said.

"This will operate all the time and will be a full-time deterrent."

Brent Knoll is being used as a trial site for the camera by Avon and Somerset Police, which plans to review the data from it as warning letters are issued.

The cameras exist in other parts of the country, but this is the first of its kind in Somerset.