SPEED indicator devices (SIDs) are to be installed in a tiny Blackdown Hills hamlet near Wellington which has one of the worst speeding records in Somerset.

Speed Watch volunteers in Ford Street, which saw a 30 mph zone introduced 10 years ago, have caught as many as one in five motorists driving faster than 35 mph and one driver was even recorded at 53 mph.

Now, sites have been approved for posts to be installed as soon as practical to house SIDs which will record traffic data which can be passed to the police for follow-up speed traps where necessary.

Wellington Without parish Cllr Steve Olive, who lives in Ford Street, explained to fellow councillors at a meeting in December some of the technology involved in data collection and the messages displayed for drivers.

Cllr Olive, who delivered consultation letters to affected residents, said there had not been any negative response to the project, only positive comments.

Councillors were told that chairman Cllr Roger Lane with Cllr Olive and parish clerk Neil Dalton would meet once the SID posts were in place, before the units were fitted.

They also heard that some residents were further concerned about the increasing speed of traffic using Briscoe Lane, and had suggested it could be considered for any future SID installations.

The parish council has also been concerned following recent accidents on Wellington Hill that heavy lorries were using inappropriate routes.

It appeared that the recommended lorry route over the Blackdown Hill as indicated clearly by local signage was not on satellite navigation systems.

Councillors agreed that checks were needed to make sure the local road signage was still in place and the parish’s police community support officers should be contacted about Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s official policy regarding lorry routes.