SPEED management guidelines have been published in a new document which details a wide range of measures for tackling speed and speed-related collisions in Suffolk.

SPEED management guidelines have been published in a new document which details a wide range of measures for tackling speed and speed-related collisions in Suffolk.

The document, produced by the Suffolk Roadsafe Partnership, will be launched at a Suffolk Association of Local Councils' meeting in Woodbridge on Friday, April 24.

Suffolk County Councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads and transport and chairman of the Partnership said: 'Managing the speed of traffic is essential to continue reducing the number of casualties on our roads. Effective speed management also helps to reduce anxiety for people living in the county.'

He continued; 'The Suffolk Roadsafe Partnership supports the new guidelines because it believes that a combined engineering, enforcement and education strategy, together with a new system for tackling complaints is the best way forward.'

The guidelines will be made available to officers and councillors in Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Safecam and Suffolk Constabulary and district and parish councillors. Members of the public can use the guidelines to understand speed management decisions.

The guidelines contain details of the benefits and problems associated with a wide range of engineering solutions, as well as the typical costs of treatments.

The partnership is also keen to involve members of the public in tackling speeding issues and Suffolk Constabulary has approached parish councils to invite them to join the Community Speedwatch initiative.

The main objectives of the scheme are to secure a reduction in the numbers of drivers exceeding the speed limit and to re-educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, and address concerns from local residents about cars speeding through their neighbourhoods.

Deputy Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer, vice-chair of the Partnership said: 'We launched our first scheme in Blythburgh in January this year and it is pleasing to note that we are currently involved in setting up eight further schemes involving 42 parish councils.'

The Blythburgh Scheme has five local volunteers who are trained to use speed detection equipment, and who dedicate their own time to monitor road traffic with the assistance of their local Safer Neighbourhood Team.