The West Hill Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) has now gone live after undergoing trials. The VAS is currently on the B3180 (@8th Dec).
The initial trial ran for 9 days from 20th Nov 2020 when the VAS was located on Bendarroch Road facing traffic travelling from the B3180.
What were the findings?
- Over the period 6,674 vehicles passed the sign.
- Approximately, 22% of total vehicles, exceeded the 30mph speed limit.
- The average speed of speeding vehicles was between 33mph and 35mph.
- The maximum speed recorded was 50mph at 7.50pm on 20th Nov.
Please click here for a sample report. Please note that it will take some time for Councillors to develop the optimum report layout. The VAS unit collects detailed vehicle speed/time/date information and we will be refining the report over the coming weeks/months as we interrogate the data. Please remember we can only report data if it is collected by the VAS.
We plan to add a VAS report to the website each time the VAS is moved between sites.
Next Steps
The VAS will be moved around the sites that have been agreed with Devon Highways.
- Bendarroch Road (nr Moorlands)
- B3180 nr Ridge House
- B3180 nr Little Stockleigh
- Bendarroch Road junction with West Hill Road
Some sites, such as the B3180, allow the VAS to be placed to face traffic travelling in either direction.
Initially the VAS will be moved every two weeks. Experience from other VAS schemes strongly demonstrates that the VAS loses its deterrent effect after two weeks.
The schedule for Phase 1 will cover all sites in strict rotation. However, Councillors will use the information gathered from each site during phase 1 to inform the location schedule for phase 2.
Please remember that the VAS is a speed warning device and not a speed camera so anyone who drives too fast will not receive a fine. We hope drivers will regard it as a gentle reminder to be more considerate when travelling around our village lanes. Sadly, we also have to recognise that some drivers will want to trigger the sign.
Future Plans
Once the VAS has been in operation for a period and Councillors will be able to assess how effective it is in slowing the traffic. There may be an option to purchase a second device if it proves to be successful.
Councillors are continuing to liaise with Highways regarding possible VAS locations on West Hill Road. It is a complicated matter and suggested locations may not be viable due to various factors such as:
- The VAS unit must be located where operatives are safe to work (eg on a verge)
- Nearby existing signs may preclude the installation of the VAS
- Road layout, blind bends etc
How can you help?
Because of the dense tree cover at some of the post locations the Council purchased a rechargeable battery-operated VAS rather than a solar-powered one. How long the battery will last is determined by the number of times the device is activated and that is something we will learn over time. Each time the VAS is moved a fully charged battery will be loaded, but if anyone notices that the device appears to have run out of charge at any time then please contact the clerk to arrange for a new one to be loaded. If the VAS is fully charged there is a red light showing on the top left corner at the back of the device.
To contact the Clerk
- 01404 232 100
- clerk@westhillparishcouncil.gov.uk
