Two extra vehicle activated speed signs will be set up around Beccles in a bid to deter drivers from speeding in the town.

Back in 2016, Beccles Town Council bought its first set of the signs which are moved around different locations every few weeks, and work by flashing up with the driver’s speed as they approach.

Town councillors Graham Catchpole and Norman Brooks have been looking after the three units since that time, moving them around seven different locations including Coney Hill, Hungate and Rigbourne Hill.

The signs are battery operated and have to be recharged and moved around every three weeks, at which time the data recorded is also downloaded.

Mr Catchpole said: “The signs do not identify individual vehicles, there is no camera, but they do record the amount of vehicles and their approach speeds to the sign and their passing speed.

“The evidence shows that in general drivers do respond to the speed reminder given by the vehicle activated signs.”

He added: “In modern cars we do not always realise what speed our vehicle is doing and we do need these reminders.

“The data shows that the vast majority of drivers are keeping to the designated speed limit. But sadly we also see that there is a minority of totally irresponsible and dangerous drivers who break the speed limits by a considerable amount; these drivers are a danger to everybody on the roads and the pavements.

“We can only hope that the police will step up their activity and catch these drivers.”

Another six locations have been authorised and the town council has agreed to buy two more signs to provide more coverage across the town.

The new locations where the signs will be appearing include Northgate, Banham Road, Ravensmere and St Mary’s Road, along with two on Ellough Road - one to pick up drivers as they come down the hill into the town and one near the junction of Lowestoft Road just before the primary school.

Councillors Graham Elliott and Richard Stubbings have volunteered to look after the extra locations and signs and cover the north of the town, with Mr Catchpole and Mr Brooks continuing to cover the south.