David Rhodes was so fed-up with motorists allegedly speeding past his house he borrowed a speed gun to prove it.

Now he is trying to gather evidence to prove his case to the council and police.

David Rhodes from Dilton Marsh near Westbury, believes motorists speeding through the village are a problem.

He is so concerned he carried out a survey with a commercial speed-gun he borrowed in October 2001

He hopes his findings will prompt action from Wiltshire County Council.

He says:"I took the readings over three weeks last October. Each day I had 10 slots of between 5 and 15 mins throughout the day starting at 8am finishing at 5pm."

David was surprised at the outcome of his survey which claimed more than half the motorists using the High Street were speeding.

He added:"I'm obviously disappointed, and as a resident I am conscious of both the volume and the increase in the traffic.

"And then there is the forecast of the additional traffic caused by the new residential developments in Westbury and Westbury Leigh.

"Although it is only about a third built, it is already causing a problem."

David has the formal support of the parish council in his fight.

He believes the solution is not a highly expensive traffic calming solution but something that will slow vehicles down, perhaps a narrowing of the road as has been done in Combe Down in Bath.

Andrew Wyatt, Traffic Services Manager with Wiltshire County Council says the council receives numerous requests for traffic calming schemes.

"Research by government shows it is quite often local people speeding on local roads," he says.

"Dilton Marsh is on the list for future traffic calming measures early in 2002 but such a scheme has to be prioritised."

Educating drivers maybe a better long-term solution

David thinks that educating motorists is key to longer-term road safety policies.

"Programmes like the governments "Think" campaign, encourage drivers to take notice of speed limits and be more aware of their surroundings when behind the wheel." he said.

Wiltshire County Council are also working with police on an enforcement policy targeting the worst areas to help bring casualties down.

Inspector Kate Brookes of Wiltshire Constabulary says the police would investigate any complaints relating to speeding.

Initially they would visit the location to see if there was a problem or whether prosecution for dangerous or careless driving was more appropriate.

Sites identified as problems are regularly discussed with Wiltshire County Council

If the screening proved that there was a speed problem and there had been injury accidents in the area then they would monitor the traffic flows and speed.

If the criteria were met, then the area would be prioritised for ongoing speed checks.

Any such sites identified would be regularly discussed with the Highways department at Wiltshire County Council.