RESIDENTS could be handed speed guns and heavy goods vehicles banished from a Sidmouth stretch of road in a Councillor’s bid to hand concerned townsfolk a Christmas present.

RESIDENTS could be handed speed guns and heavy goods vehicles banished from a Sidmouth stretch of road in a Councillor’s bid to hand concerned townsfolk a Christmas present.

County Councillor Stuart Hughes has offered to use his �1,000 locality budget to tackle issues in Fortescue and Sid Roads by restricting HGVs and empowering householders to highlight the problem of speeding motorists.

He has asked police and Sidmouth Town Council for their views on imposing a 7.5tonne weight restriction from Stevens Cross on the A3052, Salcombe Road junction, to Radway and Vicarage Road on the A375.

Mr Hughes also wants to launch a ‘Community Speed Watch’ where residents use radar guns to gauge traffic speeds.

On the issue of speed, Mr Hughes told the Herald: “There have been surveys carried out which proved negative, however, over the past few months I have attended several Community Speed Watch launches where residents receive training from police and work in threes to carry out speed checks using a radar gun.

“I believe this is the way forward and I would hope any interested residents contact me.

“I am prepared to provide the funding for the necessary equipment from my locality budget, which is around �1,000

“There are already a group of local residents living in the Temple Street area who are also interested in setting up a speed watch scheme, and, if need be I’ll provide enough funding for two sets of equipment.”

Community Speed Watch signs are erected covered areas, drawing drivers’ attention to the fact that they should slow down.

“I am also going to provide the funding for the traffic order for the weight restriction if support is forthcoming from the police and town council,” said Cllr Hughes.

He added he has called for the HGV measure for years. He hopes it will deter lorries from using the route to get in and out of the town centre. He said it wouldn’t prevent them from accessing destinations within the restricted zone.

Residents interested in the Community Speed Watch can contact Cllr Hughes on (01395) 578414.