Hundreds of motorists are snared by speed checkers in Buckley

More than 800 drivers have been caught speeding by Buckley Community Speed Watch since its inception in July last year.

Figures released by the speed watch group showed a record number of motorists snared in May – with the details of 257 drivers passed on to police.

Ahead of a meeting of Buckley Town Council on Tuesday where the findings are due to be discussed, scheme co-ordinator Cllr Arnold Woolley said: “In one hour we have recorded up to 46 speeding vehicles.

“That occasion was not long ago, on Alltami Road, a 30mph area, opposite First Steps Nursery, where the three fastest offenders were doing 48mph past the nursery.

“What chance [would] any toddler [have] who might stray onto the roadway?”

He said motorists have been caught speeding at 57mph, on Nant Mawr Road, and 53mph on Precinct Way.

Cllr Woolley, a former leader of Flintshire Council, added: “As well as noting the continuing idiot behaviour of certain drivers, forgetting to use seat belts, using mobile phones, eating sandwiches and worse at the wheel, or driving with animals or children in their laps. Our activities and checking of DVLA records for accuracy have been turning up both untaxed vehicles and vehicles without a valid MOT.”

Cllr Woolley added there were a number of people contacting them complaining of excessive speeds on their roads and asking the group to operate in their proximity.

He said they have been asked by people to check the status of vehicles which have “sat static” over long periods of time, to see if they are road legal.

“That is not to say that we are universally popular,” he added.

“We have had our fair share of verbal abuse, usually hurled by reluctantly speed-legal drivers and/or passengers, many of whom are of the astoundingly incorrect belief that only uniformed police officers can give evidence on road traffic issues in court, if needed.”

As well as in Buckley, the group have been seen recording the speed of motorists in Mynydd Isa.