You may have noticed already in some areas that the Plymstock Community Speed Watch Team are in action wearing bright yellow jackets monitoring the speed on our roads.

Speeding continues to be problematic throughout Plymstock and is a big concern for residents. It is regularly discussed on a lot of the Plymstock social media platforms. Although I have written about speed watch in a previous article, it is important to highlight again the importance of Road safety for all our residents and to keep you updated about the Speed Watch Team.

Community speed watch is a partnership between the local community and the police. The aim is to address speed related concerns through the education of all road users. We now have several dedicated volunteers who are willing to give up their own time to promote speed reduction and road safety in the area.

During recent training we were surprised by cars speeding along the approach to Plymstock Library, an area close to a pedestrian crossing and where there would be children exiting the library. Although we were only getting used to the equipment and practicing collecting the data required, this small sample for training purposes, highlighted why community speed watch is important.

We were also filmed by a motorbike user who may have informed others that we were out and about. Let’s hope that led to a quieter evening in Plymstock that night.

The roads that will be monitored by the Plymstock volunteers will be risk assessed by the Devon and Cornwall Police Force Community Speed Watch Team.

We will only be in areas that have been approved by the team. One member of the Plymstock Community Speed Watch Team will be wearing a body camera to record incident specific events. This will play an important role in safeguarding the volunteers.

Nine of us are already trained with more volunteers joining in the near future. Once up and running we will be the only active team in Plymouth currently. If you would like to join this brilliant group of volunteers, please contact me.

How local people working with local councillors can make a difference to their local community.

Problems A concerned local resident contacted me about the problem of people waiting for or alighting the bus outside The Staddy on grass, especially when it is wet and muddy. And just like a local mobility scooter using resident who told me she could not cast her election vote at The Staddy, a push chair using parent contacted me as she was hindered by the lack of a dropped kerb on the same part of Staddiscombe Road.

Problems solved Two new dropped kerb crossings, pathway and a bus stop hardstanding at this location were completed in July, much to the delight of these Argyle fans waiting for the Match Day Special bus for the season’s opening game.

Problems Residents across Plymstock, and indeed the city, were frustrated that there was no bus service to The Park Crematorium and later bemused by the absence of bus stops there.

Problems solved The No.19 bus service linking Plymstock and Plympton has run from the end of March. Construction work on bus stops and a puffin pedestrian crossing started in July and will be completed mid-October, with the stop on the side of The Park scheduled to be in service even earlier. Cllr. Sally Haydon and I made a site visit during the first week of construction. (See photo below).

Problem Thousands of Plymstock residents and people living in neighbouring South Hams parishes, rightly bemoaned the loss of main post office services at the Broadway, Plymstock’s District Shopping Centre.

Problem solved A new post office will open on Thursday October 9 following lobbying by local councillors, Cllr. Rebecca Smith MP and the Broadway manager on behalf of residents and business owners.

Problem Barriers for local women to become business people need breaking down.

Problem solved The SHE Plymouth Project supports women to explore ideas for business and their community, increasing confidence, developing skills and knowledge and to make connections to help them start their journey. To find out more visit www.iridescentideas.com/she-plymouth

Plymstock Dunstone resident, Jayne Mullis is someone who has benefitted. Cllrs. Maria Lawson, Daniel Steel, Stefan Krizanac and I were pleased to support SHE with our community grant on International Women’s Day earlier this year. Cllr. Lawson and I learned more about Jayne’s project, ‘Peace of Mind Planner’ for end of life care, when we met her at the SHE showcase event at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall recently.

Other community events I attended recently include Plymstock Bowling Club’s Family Day with Cllr. Maria Lawson, the end of term celebration assembly at Elburton Primary School with Cllr. Stefan Krizanac, and Elburton Methodist Church’s Methodist Women In Britain group to share how politics and faith are intertwined.

And finally, I had the delight of being the first cyclist to use the first section of the segregated cycle path at the opening of Armada Way’s Phase 1A. It’s wheely good! (See photo below)

Residents across Plymstock have continued to be plagued by dangerous and nuisance driving in our area. These are not isolated incidents.

They represent a pattern of behaviour that is not only putting lives at risk and eroding the sense of safety in our community but also causing daily disruption through excessive noise and reckless driving that many residents are forced to endure.

In response, I triggered an Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review, a formal process that brings together the police and council officers to assess the issue and agree on a plan of action.

The level of public engagement has been remarkable showing residents’ strength of feeling on this issue.

Across five polls I published on my Facebook page, there were more than 2,600 votes cast, these accompanied many thoughtful comments and personal stories.

These contributions formed the backbone of the collective victim impact statement I delivered to the panel, chaired by a Chief Inspector from Devon & Cornwall Police.

My message was clear. This is not just a nuisance. This is a community under siege. It is long overdue, but residents deserve meaningful action.

I called for immediate action through sustained police presence in known ASB and dangerous driving hotspots, the seizure of illegally modified vehicles, and the installation of temporary speed and noise cameras. I also pushed for greater transparency around emergency call data and longer-term solutions such as youth outreach and permanent speed checks near Jennycliff.

Transparency and accountability are key. I will publish the panel’s formal response and action plan in full.

Also, the Police and Council have agreed to hold community feedback event with me, so residents can directly hold them to account and ensure they deliver on their action plan. More details on this will follow shortly.

This review is an important first step. It shows what can be achieved when residents speak up. As your councillor I will always do my best to act on your behalf. I want to thank everyone who contributed to this process. Your voices have made a real impact, and together we are moving towards a safer Plymstock.

To watch the full statement, I gave to the panel or catch up on shorter clips and updates, please visit my Facebook page.