PARISH councillors have agreed to clamp down on Alderley Edge’s speeding motorists after a driver was clocked driving at 71mph in a 30mph zone.

At a meeting on Monday, February 13, members of Alderley Edge Parish Council agreed to spend up to £4,383.90 on two new speed display units for the village.

The decision comes after councillors placed a temporary speed indicator device (SID) in Congleton Road over a two week period last September.

During that time more than 13,000 cars passed the device, travelling at an average speed of 33.6mph – higher than the road’s 30mph speed limit.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Craig Browne, parish councillor and Cheshire East Council member for Alderley Edge, said that 76 per cent of drivers clocked by the device travelled faster than the speed limit, while 10.2 per cent of drivers travelled at more than 40mph.

He said: “I’ve been approached by several residents who have expressed their concern over vehicles speeding in Congleton Road.

“If we buy two devices one could be placed permanently in Congleton Road, while the other could be moved around the village to meet demand.”

Chairman Cllr Geoff Hall agreed that the proposal could benefit Alderley Edge but expressed concern some drivers might ‘go past as fast as they can’ to see their speed, although Cllr Browne confirmed that the device could have a maximum number set on its display to prevent this.

Councillors voted to purchase one Mini 300 speed display unit at £1,850, plus a microwave vehicle detector at £275, a battery charger at £60.90 and a spare battery at £73.

The parish council will then consider buying a second unit and vehicle detector in six months’ time.