Move to curb speed in County Tyrone village

It’s hoped the device will help improve safety for local school children and villagers in Newmills.

Local MLA Keith Buchanan explained that he had been contacted by Newmills Community Liaison Committee and concerned residents regarding speeding issues.

Mr Buchanan has thanked Firtree Developments for providing the money to allow the Committee to purchase their own SID.

Speaking following the handover of the money by Bronagh Curran, Firtree Developments, to Arlene McFarland, Committee member of Newmills Community Liaison Committee he said: “Since being elected as MLA for Mid Ulster I have worked with many local groups and concerned constituents regarding speeding especially in our rural villages and close to schools and local amenities.

“I was pleased to help facilitate the raising of money to purchase a Speed Indicator Device (SID) for the village of Newmills.”

Continuing, Mr Buchanan said: “This device will be a temporary device, used at speed-sensitive locations to reduce vehicle speed and will measure the speed of approaching vehicles, typically with radar, and display the measured speed and a smiley or frowning face.

“SID’s are not intended to directly enforce speed limits, but rather to inform motorists and modify their driving behaviour, either when approaching a danger zone or to generally comply with the speed limit.”

He added that it is hoped the installation and use of this device will highlight speed in the village and help make Newmills safer for all including pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle drivers and passengers.

Meanwhile, police have been out and about across the area carrying out speed detection. The duties were in response to concerns raised to the local Neighbourhood officers about speeding motorists in residential areas.

Police spoke with motorists, educating them about the dangers of speeding in residential areas and near schools.

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