Residents in Kingsbury turned into human speed cameras yesterday as part of a new road safety scheme in Brent.

Brent & Kilburn Times: The Community Roadwatch scheme took place in Kingsbury (Pic: Brent Council)The Community Roadwatch scheme took place in Kingsbury (Pic: Brent Council) (Image: Archant)

Locals donned high-visibility jackets and learnt how to use hand-held speed cameras outside Friend Primary School in Church Lane, to slow drivers down.

The residents teamed up with Police Community Support Officers for the launch of the initiative in the borough.

The Community Roadwatch scheme has been developed by The Metropolitan Police and Transport for London (TfL), and gives residents the opportunity to work side by side with their local police teams to reduce speeding in residential areas.

John Govier, 70, from Elthorne Road in Kingsbury, said: “I often see cars speeding in this area, and with the school over the road and a park next door, I am really concerned for the safety of the young children.

“I think that this scheme will make a real difference in slowing down the cars driving on the roads around here and will hopefully make drivers think twice before ignoring the speed limit.

“If this can even stop one accident from happening, then it’s absolutely worth all the time and effort being put in to the initiative by the police and local residents.”

Drivers caught breaking the speed limit will be sent a warning letter but motorists who have found to have broken it substantially could face action from the police.

Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Brent Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “This is a brilliant way of empowering residents to do something about speeding traffic where they live and help make the roads in Brent safer for everyone.

“This initiative is about education, not enforcement, and we hope that by working with the local community to encourage drivers to watch their speed, we will see fewer accidents and speeding offences in the borough.

“Improving road safety is a high priority for residents and especially for parents of young children. This is a great example of partnership working between residents, the police and the council that I hope will make a real difference.”

Residents who would like to participate in the scheme or suggest an area where the initiative would be useful should email transportation@brent.gov.uk.