Unfortunately our Speed Indicator Device (SID) has been put out of operation by someone who intentionally ‘ripped’ the cables connecting the Solar Panel to the SID. The cables allow us to use the sun to maintain the battery voltage at a high enough level to operate the device rather than continually removing the batteries to charge them.
The vandalism is very disappointing and it has been reported to the police.
We are now investigating how to fix the system, but in any event it will be at the cost of the Parish Precept, which as result will be unavailable to spend in a more constructive way.
The vast majority of concerns coming out of the recent Community Review related to traffic driving too fast through our village on the A357. in particular through the narrow part of the High Street. The Parish Council has responded to those concerns by investing in the SID to try to help drivers adjust their speed if they are travelling too quickly.
As a reminder – The whole road from Yarn Barton through to Church Hill is a 20mph speed zone including the Yarn Barton and Station Road section and the purpose of the device is to remind drivers to slow down in areas where the road is narrow. There are areas with poorly visible exits from properties and the high likelihood of pedestrians in the road including children particularly at school time and CO-Op customers any time of the day.
The majority of drivers do respond to the SID and slow down if they see they are travelling at speeds greater than 20mph and the statistics show that the device has an impact on the overall traffic speed.