Villagers record more than 100 speeding drivers

More than 100 speeding drivers have been recorded on a "notorious" road by villagers in East Sussex.

Cross in Hand Community Speedwatch was set up after a crash in October 2024 on the A267, where a 32-year-old man died.

"This stretch of the A267 is notorious and a bit of a black spot for accidents", said Sarah Jones, 47, who helped start the group last September.

They are one of 360 speedwatch groups across Sussex which monitored more than 43,000 motorists speeding last year.

Sarah, who has lived in the village for 19 years, said: "This is part of a wider campaign to make the A267 safer between Horam and Mayfield.

"We've monitored over 3,000 vehicles in our weekly sessions and 100 drivers have received a letter in the post.

"This scheme is all about education and prevention, we're not law enforcers. Even just standing roadside in high vis lets people know we're here to monitor speed."

Armed with a radar gun, body camera, pen, clipboard, and watch - the group monitor different locations around Cross in Hand each week.

Lewes Road is one of the locations which leads to the A267 through the village. The stretch of road entering Cross in Hand goes from a 40mph zone to a 30mph zone.

Sarah said: "A lot of people speed along this road, we do catch most people speeding here.

"I would say we've caught about 60 people here out of the 100 who received letters.

"The highest recorded speed we've done here is 50mph in the 30mph zone."

Volunteers record details of speeding drivers including their number plates. These are then sent to Sussex Police who send a letter warning them of their speed, which police say aims to educate drivers to slow down.

The force said community speedwatch does not result in prosecution, but if a persistent speeding driver is identified through the scheme, police can use this evidence to take action against them if required.

Supt Jo Grantham, head of roads policing for Sussex Police, said: "In Cross in Hand we've seen a community speedwatch that's been set up because of a tragic incident that's occurred in the village.

"My hat's off to the people who've set the group up, they are incredible invaluable volunteers who give their time to protect the road users here."

A police spokesperson says 90% of motorists who receive their first speedwatch letter do not reoffend again within 12 months.

Grantham added: "We can't always be everywhere, but we can be anywhere, and that's what the community speedwatch supports."

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