I READ with a mixture of amazement and disappointment, the article “Calls to tackle speeders at school” (Echo Nov 14).

Amazement at the proposal from the Durham Police traffic management officer that the speed limit near Hurworth school should be increased to 40mph at a time when everyone else involved is trying to reduce vehicle speeds near the school. His reasons are not credible.

Disappointment that if Durham Constabulary adopt such a policy, then the work carried out by several parish councils in Darlington will have been in vain.

Parish councils in Hurworth, Sadberge, Bishopton and Middleton St George have spent thousands of pounds on speed monitoring equipment in attempting to persuade motorists to drive within the speed limit.

They have received welcome financial and moral support from Ron Hogg, the Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner.

In addition, residents have spent many hours carrying out community speed watch activities, for what?

During my 15 years as a police traffic officer, the most often used reason for speeding was: “Sorry officer, I didn’t realise it was a 30 limit”.

I believe there are two types of speeders, those who simply don’t care about the speed limit and will take a chance, and those who don’t have the driving skills to maintain their concentration long enough to remember they are in a restricted area. Either way, reporting motorists for exceeding the speed limit does not criminalise them, it reminds them that by breaking the limit they have to pay a penalty.

Borough cllr Brian Jones, Sadberge and Middleton St George ward