In a bid to remind drivers travelling into Swanage to slow down, Swanage Town Council has purchased a speed indicator device, otherwise known as a SID.
The sign has been installed on Northbrook Road by Day’s Park, however a second pole has been erected on Ulwell Road opposite the vets, so the speed display can be moved between the two locations.
As traffic comes into Swanage into the 30 mph zones, the solar-powered sign will display the speed of vehicles, letting drivers know whether they are going too fast or not.
The Swanage Town Council maintenance team installing the new sign
“Reduced the speed of motorists”
Councillor Mike Whitwam, chair of Swanage Town Council’s roads and transport committee said:
“Other places have used SIDs successfully, like Harmans Cross and Corfe Castle. They’ve reported that the signs have reduced the speed of motorists.
“The idea is just to make people aware of what speed they are doing – it’s not always easy to keep an eye on the speedometer when you’re driving.
“This is just a useful visual reminder. It will never stop the boy racers but SIDs are a big aid in speed safety.”
A post has also been installed in Ulwell Road so the sign can be moved between the two locations to increase driver awareness
Make the area safer for school children
The location in Northbrook Road is near to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School where councillors have been looking at ways to make the area safer for school children.
Councillor Mike Whitwam added:
“We are hoping to get Dorset Council to look again at reducing the speed of the nearby stretch of Washpond Lane – we’d like it reduced to 30 mph from 60 mph due to the close proximity to the school.
“We’ve asked the highways department to undertake a speed survey at an appropriate time, so we can better understand what is required. We’ll have to see what they say”
Northbrook Road location
