CAMPAIGNERS are hoping to drive speeding motorists from their village – before the problem forces more residents out.
Few of Chipstead's roads have pavements, making expeditions by foot a hairy experience, according to the coordinator of Surrey's latest community speed watch group. The problem is so bad, at least one family has moved out.
Village volunteers launched Surrey's 19th speed watch group in February and this week, eight new recruits received their training. Members use a speed gun to track just how fast drivers are going and vehicle details are forwarded to the police, who can then send out warning letters in the hope motorists will slow down.
Organiser Peter Keemer, of Hazelwood Lane, said the combination of narrow lanes and speeding drivers in Chipstead means people who don't drive are virtually housebound.
"We are just trying to encourage drivers to respect the speed limit," said Mr Keemer, 81.
"These roads are all residential roads but you can't walk along them because it is too dangerous. You have to scurry from one gateway to another and the traffic is very often too fast.
"On a lot of the roads there is barely room for two vehicles to pass – a pedestrian or a cyclist is very vulnerable.
"A family with two teenagers moved out of the village because the parents felt their children could not come and go safely.
"To get anywhere safely, you have to go by car.
"It is a big problem, and speed is an important factor.
"Even 30 is too fast for some roads, but if everyone respected the 30 limit, it would be a much safer place."
In their first four morning observation sessions in 30mph Outwood Lane, the group recorded 109 motorists breaking 35mph, at an average of 40.
The highest reading was 54mph. This week, a fresh set of volunteers were trained and the group now hopes to have members out recording speeds around the village every week.