Police act on village's road speed concerns

Members of Selby District Council's southern area community engagement forum had complained of speeding traffic on the main A19 route through Whitley.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police agreed to focus efforts on monitoring traffic in the area and, between April and June, 43 vehicles were stopped for speeding.

A total of 25 drivers were issued with penalty points and others were given verbal warnings.

In an effort to provide a long-term solution to the problem of speeding drivers, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be installing new traffic monitoring boxes.

Inspector Richard Abbott, the police representative at the forum, said: "This demonstrates exactly how community engagement forums can react to local concerns.

"Residents had their say, we were able to act and now we're working in partnership with other members of the forum to look at a long-term solution to this issue."

The forum's chairman, Coun Cliff Lunn, added: "The forum is your chance to say what really matters to you. You set the agenda. It's our job, as members of the forum, to listen and to act – exactly what's happened in this case.

"Whilst the police enforcement action offered a short-term answer to the problem of speeding traffic through Whitley, what we now have to do is see what resources or expertise are available from all members of the forum to make a long-term difference."

As well as dealing with individual issues of concern, the Southern Area Community Engagement Forum is developing a long-term vision for the future of the area.