'We owe it to the youngsters' - Netherton councillor praises police community speed watch operation

Councillor Qasim Mughal, from the Netherton and Holly Hall ward, accompanied officers for the hour-long exercise on St Peter's Road, where there have been frequent complaints from residents about speeding motorists.

Officers ran 325 vehicles through the speed gun and will issue seven warning letters.

Police said on X: "Dudley Central PCSOs team 3 have completed a community speed watch this morning with a local councillor in Netherton. 325 vehicles were run through the gun and seven warning letters will be issued."

Councillor Mughal said it was a long -lanned exercise which had been postponed twice. He said it had been 'more than worthwhile' and would be repeated when resources and equipment allowed.

"The number of vehicles monitored in slightly less than an hour shows how busy this stretch of road is and I think the fact seven motorists were seen to be going above the legal speed limit shows it is justified and was successful.

"To me that is a lot of people speeding on a Sunday morning when they might have been able to see us with the speed camera and in high-vis jackets but still decide to exceed the limit. I applaud the majority who were following the law but the numbers prove what people were saying.

"We owe it to the youngsters and all people who live along St Peter's Road, which is a very busy stretch, to keep it safe and monitor it. 

"This will hopefully be done by Labour ward councillors in other areas of Netherton, though there is a question over a lack of speed guns which we are lobbying the police and crime commissioner to make more available.

"In the meantime I would encourage anyone in the ward who has concerns about speeding motorists in their road or immediate area to get in touch with me at cllr.qasim.mughal@dudley.gov.uk."