CONCERNS have been expressed over the efficiency of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) placed on roads in Andover.

Councillors discussed the efficiency of SIDs on two major routes during an Andover Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, July 19.

SIDs are a variation of standard vehicle-activated signs which can be moved around easily. They flash the speed limit if a vehicle approaches which is exceeding the speed limit.

The SIDs were put in place on Salisbury Road and Walworth Road to drive speeding down.

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During the meeting, councillors discussed a report containing data extracted from the devices. The figures compared data recorded in March and April 2023, to a period from May 24 until June 21 for both roads.

Speeding reduced on Salisbury Road from an average speed of 24.8mph to 23.6mph. The highest recorded speed was 50mph on May 28, a decrease from the previous period's maximum speed of 55mph. The number of average vehicles per day lowered from 4,801 to 4,362.

On Walworth Road, the average speed increased slightly from 29.6mph to 29.8mph. The average number of vehicles per day increased from 1,502 to 1,543, although the highest speed was the same as the previous period at 60mph. 

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Cllr Mark Farren shared concerns that the data might not be accurate because they don't filter out emergency services on blue lights from other drivers.

He said: "These SIDs do not factor in blue light emergencies which will be driving these figures up. One would skew the data, and two or three would skew it more. We need to ensure we are considering this when reviewing these figures."

Cllr Farren asked town clerk Gail Foster if the SID cameras were able to filter out emergency services. She said the cameras the council are hoping to acquire would be able to do this.

Meanwhile, Cllr Heather Neate said she thinks the device on Walworth Road is in the wrong place and suggested installing more along the road to act as more of a deterrence.