Community Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch: May 2026 Report

by
16 April, 2026

Playing a crucial role to help keep our village safer for all road users


Phase 1 of our Road Safety Improvement Plans for the village was to fund and implement the Flashing School Zone Warning Lights around the school entrance, and as was reported last month, funding has been raised and the lights have been ordered. They are expected to be installed in the next few months and will be located on the main road either side of the school entrance plus in Sutton Lane.


Phase 2 of the plan is tois to repaint all the faded road markings, including the zig zag ‘no parking’ lines either side of the school entrance and to install a pedestrian ‘Zebra’ crossing. This will encourage children, and other vulnerable road users, to cross the road in a safer location instead of dodging between parked cars anywhere along the stretch between Sutton Lane and Castle Hill Lane as they do now.

Screenshot
Screenshot

The UK government regards Pedestrian Crossings as a critical safety measure outside schools as they are designed to protect children.

It is a legal requirement that drivers must stop and give way to pedestrians on a Zebra crossing in the UK. According to the Highway Code (Rule H2), drivers should also stop for pedestrians waiting to cross. Drivers must remain stopped until all pedestrians have fully cleared the crossing. 

Until such time we have raised the funding and have approval to install a zebra crossing, with grateful thanks to the Brailes Free School Foundation’s donation, we will be able to employ a ‘Lollipop Person’ to operate during school drop-off and pick-up times. If this position is of interest please let us know by email to Brailes Speed Watch team via the Parish Council.

Speeding remains a serious problem. In the last few weeks the Community Speed Watch team have recorded numerous vehicles exceeding 50mph; one in particular caught for the 4th time at 52mph; a month after being caught doing 54mph. On both occasions the driver appeared not to even notice 4 people on the kerb in Hi-Viz jackets, so if that vehicle hit a human being trying to cross the road at that speed, the result would almost certainly be death. This is the reality of why speed limits exist in built-up areas.  The offending driver will be getting a visit by the Police.

This is why our road safety campaign must continue to raise funds to implement such traffic calming measures as necessary to make crossing the road safer for all of us. 

We are making progress and would like to thank again everyone who has contributed so far either as individuals or business partners; that include Brailes Free School Foundation, Stour Valley Lions, The George, Cotswold Marquees, Essence Hair Salon and Coles Driving School. We hope of course more of the businesses in our village will also be able to get involved.

If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com 

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You

Community Speed Watch: About The School Safety Zone

by
22 March, 2026

The Flashing School Zone Warning Lights have been ordered and are expected to be installed in the next few months. The slight delay is due to Council Highways renegotiations with their installation team contracts.


The sets of Flashing School Zone signs are highly visible to vehicle drivers warning them that children and parents are around, many of whom will need to cross the road. This is particularly important during school drop-off and collection times. The signs will be sited at a point each side of the school gates on the main road and in Sutton Lane, creating a new ‘School Safety Zone’.
However, this is only part of what is needed to make it safer for children to cross the road. 

The next phase of improving road safety is to repaint all the faded road markings, especially the zig zag lines either side of the school entrance and to install a pedestrian ‘Zebra’ crossing. This is a critical safety measure outside schools as they are designed to protect children.

It is a legal requirement that drivers must stop and give way to pedestrians on a Zebra crossing in the UK. According to the Highway Code (Rule H2), drivers should also stop for pedestrians waiting to cross. Drivers must remain stopped until all pedestrians have fully cleared the crossing. This will ‘encourage’ children to cross the road in a safer location instead of dodging between cars anywhere along the stretch between Sutton Lane and the School as they do now. In the meantime, we are looking at the possibility of employing a School ‘Lollipop person’, so if you are interested do please get in touch.


Another positive step we’ve taken was to attend the school on 4th March and deliver Road Safety awareness to all children from Reception Class to Year 6. The level of ‘training’ was kept appropriate for the children’s ages, and it was great that they were all fully engaged. Using video and other props the children were shown how they can improve their own safety near the roads. It also falls upon parents who have to park on the main road to ensure children exit on the kerb side of the vehicle. Our thanks go to Louise Newham from Warwickshire Road Safety Education team for her fantastic support.

So, with more to do to make our roads a safer place to cross, we will continue to raise money to support the cost of the next phase of our road safety plan, and again we would like to thank everyone who has donated to our funding raising campaign so far, including our business sponsors who so far include:

THE GEORGE 
COTSWOLD MARQUEES
ESSENCE HAIRDRESSERS
COLE’S DRIVING SCHOOL

We hope more of the businesses in our village will also be able to get involved. 

If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone

The Brailes School Safety Zone Crowdfunding page is up and running, so please help if you can. Even the cost of a cup of coffee will help us make a big and long overdue difference. 

We have been told that the cost of a zebra crossing alone can be as much as £40k and may take many months to approve, so we are also looking at other ways to make crossing the road safer in the meantime. There are some grants available that we have applied for, as we did with the Flashing School Zone signs, but these will not cover the total cost, therefore our fundraising activities must continue.

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You!

Community Speed Watch: April 2026 Report

by
22 March, 2026

Playing a crucial role to help keep our village safer for all road users

The Community Speed Watch (CSW) team continues to operate throughout Brailes each week for the simple reason that a very high number of motorists persist in failing to acknowledge the speed limit in a built-up area risking not only their lives, but the lives of others too.

Police Speed Detector vans are now operating in the village far more frequently as a result.

According to the Department for Transport, speed limits on our roads are set based on thesurrounding hazards. In built-up areas especially, this is based on the human body’s tolerance to external forces. DfT studies show that reductions in average speed result in substantial casualty reduction in the event of an accident. Vulnerable road users are at a particular risk from higher traffic speeds. The risk of a pedestrian being killed if hit by a car increases from 10% at 30mph to 70% at 50 mph.


The two static speed cameras in Lower and Upper Brailes record vehicle speed, time and date, twenty-four hours a day. Almost half the vehicles entering the village from both Holloway Hill and Shipston directions exceed 30mph. This data is downloaded monthly and used to determine not just when and where community speed monitoring events take place, but also by the Police, whose Speed Detector vehicles have been attending the village more frequently of late, the most recent being on Tuesday 17th March.

On a recent CSW speed monitoring event it was frightening to have to record vehicles heading towards us at very high speed from Holloway Hill direction; the worst of which was recorded at 54mph. This same vehicle has now been reported for excessive speeding 3 times in the last year which will prompt an immediate visit by a police officer. At Chapel Lane location, other vehicles have been reported for exceeding 50 mph having just past the school..!!

The CSW team will continue doing what they can to help drivers be more aware of their speed and make it safer for everyone to cross the road. The School Safety Zone will undoubtedly help. If you would like to join the CSW team or have any views on the speeding situation, please let us know via the Brailes village website or by email to: br****************@*****ok.com

If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com 

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You

Community Speed Watch: Big Breakfast Thank You!

by
24 February, 2026

Brailes Road Safety Improvement Plan

Another initiative organised to support the fundraising for our School Safety Zone plans to improve road safety was the BIG BREAKFAST. Held in the Village Hall on a beautifully sunny morning, over 100 people bought tickets for a superb full English breakfast.

The event raised £871 to support our School Safety Zone plans

Special thanks go to Tracy King who organised the whole event, along with support from her family. To Lisa and Steve, Mari and her team of ladies who organised the raffle, to the Speed Watch team and to all the other volunteers that helped. Even many of the children who came, helped clear away plates and wash up. A true village community coming together to help and support such an important cause. 

So, a very Big thank you again to all those who came, to everyone who donated raffle prizes and to all the volunteers whose support and contribution made the event a memorable success. Requests have been noted that we should do it again…….. maybe…

Fund raising will continue so we can install the necessary improvements to make the road through the village safer for everyone. Donations can be made online or via the QR code.

The Brailes School Safety Zone Crowdfunding page is up and running, so please help if you can. Even the cost of a cup of coffee will help us make a big and long overdue difference. 

We have been told that the cost of a zebra crossing alone can be as much as £40k and may take many months to approve, so we are also looking at other ways to make crossing the road safer in the meantime. There are some grants available that we have applied for, as we did with the Flashing School Zone signs, but these will not cover the total cost, therefore our fundraising activities must continue.

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You

Community Speed Watch: March 2026 Report

by
17 February, 2026

Brailes Road Safety Improvement Plan

Thanks to the persistence of the Brailes Community Speed Watch team and support of the Parish Council, we are delighted to report that Stage 1 of our School Safety Zone plan has been approved. 

The sets of Flashing School Zone signs are highly visible to vehicle drivers warning them that children and parents are around, many of whom will need to cross the road. This is particularly important during school drop-off and collection times. The signs will be sited in 3 locations around the school creating a new ‘School Safety Zone’.

However, this is only part of what is needed to make it safer for children to cross the road. 

In conjunction with the Flashing School Zone signs, within the ‘School Safety Zone’ we also need to install a pedestrian ‘Zebra’ crossing. This will ‘encourage’ children to cross the road in a safer location instead of dodging between cars anywhere along the stretch between Sutton Lane and the School as they do now. 


Zebra crossings in front of schools are critical safety measures designed to protect children by requiring motorists to stop when pedestrians are waiting or are already crossing. These areas, often marked with yellow zigzags to prohibit parking, feature flashing amber beacons and are frequently upgraded with raised platforms or speed humps to slow traffic.

The Brailes School Safety Zone Crowdfunding page is up and running, so please help if you can. Even the cost of a cup of coffee will help us make a big and long overdue difference. 

We have been told that the cost of a zebra crossing alone can be as much as £40k and may take many months to approve, so we are also looking at other ways to make crossing the road safer in the meantime. There are some grants available that we have applied for, as we did with the Flashing School Zone signs, but these will not cover the total cost, therefore our fundraising activities must continue. We are very grateful to some of our local business sponsors below who have kindly made generous donations to help support our road safety plans so far; of course we hope more will come on board to help us achieve the next stage.

The George

Our village pub – offering a fine selection of ales and wines and an excellent menu available in the restaurant. 

Cotswold Marquees

Traditional marquees for sale or hire to suit any event. Fabrication service also available for trailer, pergolas, barn covers. etc

Essence Hairdressers

Jane & Jo are ready to give you a warm welcome. Nails with Amy every other Friday.

If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com 

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You

Community Speed Watch: January 2026 Report

by
18 December, 2025

Brailes Road Safety Improvement Plan

Plans are progressing to introduce a School Safety Zone to make the area around the school safer for everyone to cross the road. The first stage of the plan is to install warning signs that advise drivers to slow down to 20mph when the lights are flashing during school term drop-off and pick-up times. Further physical traffic calming measures are necessary and expected to follow.

The two static cameras record over 200 vehicles exceed 35mph every day!
Impatient drivers have been noted overtaking vehicles throughout the village.

As we reported last month, the area around the Primary School is our number one priority because children are constantly being put at risk crossing the road.  The School has reported several near-miss incidents in recent times where it’s been more luck than judgement that a child has not been seriously injured crossing the road outside the school gates!

The School Safety Zone project will be funded by a combination of means including a government grant that is available for improving road safety. Financial support will also come via the Parish Council as well as generous donations from the public. Many local initiatives have begun to help raise money for the cause. It is also hoped some of the businesses in the village will also consider making a donation so they too can be associated with helping to improve road safety. We all have a vested interest to make this happen.

There are lots of adverts on television from numerous charities asking for our money and there’s no doubt all are good causes whether in this country or abroad, however this is a request for your help to protect OUR children in OUR village at OUR school.

The Brailes School Safety Zone Crowdfunding page is up and running, so please help if you can. Even the cost of a cup of coffee will help us make a big and long overdue difference. 

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

If you are able to help us improve the safety of everyone but especially our next generation, please do get in touch by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com. 

Community Speed Watch: December Report

by
24 November, 2025

Brailes Road Safety Improvement Plan

As has been reported many times, speeding is a serious problem in the village and so it is good to report that progress to address the problem is now being made. 

The area around the Primary School is the most concerning where children are constantly being put at risk crossing the road.  The School has reported several near-miss accidents in recent times where it’s been more luck than judgement that a child has not been seriously injured crossing the road outside the school gates!

We have worked with the School throughout the process and our School Safety Zone project is the culmination of research combined with their suggestions on what needs to be done, so a big thank you to all the children, the parents and of course to Mrs Childs and her team for their enthusiastic support. Here is a reminder of some of the children’s ideas:

It is our absolute priority right now to work with Warwickshire County Council and all relevant stakeholders to gain agreement to implement an appropriate  School Safety Zone; ideally with 20mph flashing warning signs that operate during drop-off and pick-up times each side of a raised zebra crossing that ensures vehicles are ‘forced’ to slow down at that crossing point. As we stand currently there is no designated or identifiable safe crossing point by the school.

How can we fund the project?

In April we were made aware of a ‘Highways Community Action Fund’. This is a Government funded grant that local Councils have available to use to support towns and villages improve road safety and reduce potential serious injuries and death from road traffic accidents. We submitted a claim for this grant which has been approved, subject to the Councils’ audit checks and agreement. The grant supports up to 50% of the cost of the project.

The estimated total cost of implementing our School Safety Zone could be c£40k.

– 50% of this would be covered by the HCAF grant = £20k.

– The balance of £20k is what we are now working on.

The Parish Council will provide some financial support of course, plus we have the opportunity to look to our village business owners to help. We are also planning on holding lots of different events, like cake stalls, book sales, raffles, etc. etc. Donations are already underway.

We now have a Brailes School Safety Zone crowdfunding page where donations from businesses, sponsorship events and from the public can be made to support this cause, which of course will be greatly appreciated.

Please follow this appeal link below to check our progress and kindly make your donation:

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

If you are able to help us improve the safety of everyone but especially our next generation, please do get in touch by email to:  br****************@*****ok.com. 

Community Speed Watch: November Report

by
15 October, 2025

In case you wondered why the Community Speed Watch (CSW) team continues to monitor vehicle speed in Brailes the answer is simple – it’s because a number of motorists persist in exceeding the speed limit in a built-up area risking not only their lives but others too. 
 
Data from the static speed cameras show that on average, 50% of all vehicles that travel through Brailes exceed 30mph. 
 
Children and vulnerable road users are at a particular risk from higher traffic speeds. Data from the Department for Transport shows the risk of a pedestrian being killed if hit by a car increases from 10% at 30mph to 70% at 50 mph. The area around the Primary School in the village is the most worrying and action is being taken to look at the options to make this safer for children and parents to be able to walk to school and cross the road. 
 
The CSW team are unpaid village residents who volunteer their time freely in the hope of making these errant drivers be more conscious of their speed and adhere to the speed limit for the safety of everyone. Feedback from villagers is always welcome and the vast majority that we receive is constructive and positive, because they acknowledge the problem and support what the CSW team is doing.

Each volunteer is approved by Warwickshire Police and there are strict operational guidelines that are followed; including the number of volunteers that are required for each speed monitoring event, which is between 3 – 5. Each of the locations used has also been specifically determined by the Police with Google Map photographs showing exactly where the team must operate. As a result of this the Police can track the traffic data and take the necessary action; including visiting persistent speeders wherever in the Country they may live. The CSW team derive no pleasure out of monitoring vehicle speeds; the hope is that by being seen frequently, motorists become more conscious of their speed and drive accordingly,which we trust all villagers appreciate. 
 
However, it is totally unacceptable for anyone in the team to be threatened or intimidated. Warwickshire Police want to know if this happens because they not only endorse what the CSW team is doing, they also provide details of who to contact should anyone feel the need to question why speed monitoring is necessary.

If you wish to support our road safety endeavours in any way please feel free to get us touch with us by emailing the CSW team via  br****************@*****ok.com. 

The persons you have approached are operating with the support of Warwickshire Police as Community Speed Watch Volunteers.

They are obliged to report to the police any threats, acts of intimidation or violence towards them.

They are also under instruction not to get involved in any disputes over their activity.

If you wish to raise any issues regarding this matter, please contact me on the telephone number or email address below.

Many people die on Warwickshire roads each year and many more suffer from serious, life changing injuries. The department for Transport has identified the main contributory factor in over 30% of fatal collisions as being excessive or inappropriate speed.

Community Speed Watch supports the police by monitoring the speed of vehicles through local communities. It is an opportunity for communities to engage in a local problem, increase public awareness of inappropriate speed and improve the quality of life in their community.

Community Speed Watch volunteers do not enforce the law, but those identified as exceeding the limit can expect to receive an advisory letter from the police.

Yours faithfully
Gary Strain
Road Safety Officer
Road Safety Unit
Tel: 01788 852004
Email: ga*********@*****************ce.uk

Community Speed Watch: Police Speed Detector vans in Brailes again

by
22 September, 2025

Police speed detector vans have been operating in the village again recently due to the continued high numbers of vehicles that exceed the 30mph speed limit. 

Road Safety Improvement Plan (RSIP)

Those of you who attended the public meeting in July will be aware of our intention to implement some  traffic calming measures to reduce the speed of drivers who persist in ignoring the legal speed limit. Vehicles have been noted overtaking at speed in the village where children and vulnerable road users could well be about to cross the road. The risk of a pedestrian being killed if hit by a car increases from 10% at 30mph to 70% at 50 mph.

No journey can be so important that, for the sake of a few minutes gained by speeding, the consequence of a serious accident causes someone life changing injuries…. or death.

The area around the School is our top priority and part of our RSIP is a School Safety Zone that creates a designated safe place to cross the road. Discussions are underway with the County Council Highways team along with plans to ensure we have the appropriate funding in place. In the meantime the Community Speed Watch team will continue to try to ‘educate’ speeding drivers to slow down.

If you would like to help and be part of the team working on improving road safety in any way or would like to join the Community Speed Watch team please let us know by email to: br****************@*****ok.com using the header “I’d like to help improve road safety”.. Thank you.