In a stunning turnaround, a community speed monitoring scheme is set to be resurrected in a bid to protect communities throughout Perth and Kinross.
Speed Watch was abandoned in the area in the summer by Police Scotland, despite a hugely positive pilot and its successful and continued use throughout Fife.
It was first used in Kinross-shire by residents of Crook of Devon who had become tired of motorists speeding through their village.
During the 12-week pilot, trained volunteers used speed guns to carry out checks on the A977 in a bid to make drivers slow down.
They believed their efforts had been a huge success and were keen to extend the scheme to other communities, only for Police Scotland chiefs to decide it had not worked.
Now, however, Tayside Division has thrown its backing behind the Kinross-shire Speed Watch in the belief that it can lead to improved road safety.
Chief Inspector Mike Whitford told councillors that it could prove a valuable tool in the fight to cut speeds, by helping local officers identify hot spots and then target resources.
The future success of the initiative will now depend on whether local authority funding can be found for its implementation.
Should money be available within the Perth and Kinross Council budget, the scheme could be rolled-out to villages throughout Kinross-shire and then to other communities in Perth and Kinross.
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