VIGILANT residents will be keeping an eye on drivers in Kingsmead when a community speedwatch group is launched.

Kingsmead Parish Council has agreed to set up the group, which will start by focussing on the 20mph zone in Monarch Drive.

The council is also appealing to residents to sign a '20 is Plenty' pledge and stick to the speed limit when driving through the village.

Jo O'Donoghue, Kingsmead Parish Council's clerk, said: "I'm suggesting that the parish council set up a community speedwatch group, initially with parish councillors but then calling for volunteers from the community.

"The group will be trained to use speed guns and the police will accept the data received as supporting evidence."

A 20mph limit was introduced in Monarch Drive in June last year after years of complaints from residents that the road was being used as a rat run.

Councillors said the speedwatch group could provide the information needed to further reduce speeding on the road.

Cllr Laura Hoey, parish council chairman, said: "Once we get data we can apply to highways to say '75 per cent of people are speeding, can you put more signage up or rumble strips etc.

"There's quite a few things you can do to slow people."

She added: "In general it's quite positive because we can do something."

The council also has a host of leaflets, notices and stickers ready to sign residents up to its '20 is Plenty' campaign.

Jo said: "There's no enforcement coming from it.

"It's hoping that by explaining to people how to behave properly, this is what we are looking for, it will be positive reinforcement of the speed limit."