SOME drivers are racing through Highworth at more than double the speed limit - and even the average speed is above the maximum allowed by law.

Surveys by Swindon Borough Council’s highways department over the course of one week found that average speeds of the vehicles driving on some 30mph roads in the hilltop town were around 34mph while the average speed on 40mph roads reached 46mph.

The fastest drivers raced along these roads in the evenings at more than 80 and 90mph.

Highworth Community Speedwatch volunteers shared the shocking statistics online, reporting that they had caught one driver going 72mph on the 40mph road Redlands during one patrol.

Members of the team do not give out their full names due to abuse they say they receive from motorists who do not appreciate their safety efforts.

Andrew said: “I have been concerned about the excessive speed on the A361 since I moved to Redlands in 2012. I walk our dogs all over Highworth and have realised that the problem is widespread and not just confined to the A361.

“I am happy to have joined a great team of like-minded people who want to help reduce speed on our roads locally.”

The road survey showed that one driver sped down the 30mph Cricklade Road at between 80 and 90mph at around 11pm on a Thursday, two drivers travelling in opposite directions reached speeds of above 90mph on Shrivenham Road at around 7pm on a Sunday, two motorists on the 40mph Roundhills Mead route went above 80mph on Friday and Wednesday respectively at around 8pm,

Other results indicate that 85 per cent of traffic on Highworth’s roads were travelling at speeds of 39mph on Cricklade Road, at 38,7mph on Shrivenham Road, 46.5mph on Roundhills Mead, 34.2mph in the 30mph zone on Lechlade Road, and 45.3mph in the 40mph zone of the same road.

The volunteers formed a Highworth team in 2012 to run checks on Eastrop and a second team formed in 2020 at Redlands.

They use social media to receive requests from residents to monitor speeding hotspots. The team obtained the support of Wiltshire Police, Highworth Town Council and Swindon Borough Council to expand the number of sites on the condition that at least three new volunteers come forward to say they would help operate each new site.

Within a week, enough people had volunteered to have metro counts installed on five other roads. The new volunteers indicated they wanted to tackle speeding in the town as a whole and would be happy to help with sessions on any of the existing or new sites. They began their online training with the CSW team at Wiltshire Police and the first are already helping with sessions.

At the same time, the two teams at Eastrop and Redlands amalgamated to form Highworth CSW, enabling more sessions to be run.

Anthea said, “It is great to be involved in the Highworth CSW, working together as a small community to help control the speed of the traffic going in and out of Highworth.

“If nothing else, by being visible in our yellow vests, reminds people that there is a speed limit and it needs to be adhered to.”

New volunteer, Jo O said, “Over the last year, many of us have spent more time in our local communities than ever before. Working together to make our community safer is one way of valuing where we live.”

Andy said, “It gives me enormous pleasure that in a small way I am helping to make our roads and streets a safer environment for everyone in our community.”

New volunteer Katy said, “It is one small way that I can support my community. We need to ensure that the children and families of Highworth have a safe environment to grow up in and thrive.”

Team leader Simon said: “Expanding our team of volunteers empowered local people to do something about an issue that concerned them. We aim to make Highworth a no speeding zone.