RESIDENTS in Trowbridge have been writing to the town's police chief to get a speed camera in their neighbourhood.

Campaigners say vehicles often travel at more than 60mph along The Down and Wyke Road and claim that traffic calming measures are urgently needed.

They have been written to Insp Jon Tapper, asking him to look into improved safety measures for the area.

Their letters are passed on to Wiltshire police's divisional traffic manger Insp Cavan Moroney. He has received six so far, but campaigner John Tarr hopes this number could rise to around 30.

Mr Tarr, who lives in The Down, has asked for chicanes to be installed along with 20mph zones in certain areas such as near schools. He is also keen to set up a scheme called Community Speedwatch, which is used by Avon and Somerset Police.

This would see residents join police in using cameras and other methods to curb speeding, but police in Trowbridge have yet to support to idea.

Mr Tarr said: "What annoys me is the fact that Avon and Somerset police have different rules to Wiltshire. They've got 20mph speed limits and seem to look after their road speeds a lot more than Wiltshire does.

"If they can't afford speed cameras, what about a few stop lights and stop signs? We should get some markers up like they have in Bathampton.

"Why can't they liaise with a different force? I'm not sure how many motorists are aware it's a 30mph limit."

One resident is recording the number plates of speeding cars, particularly frequent offenders.

Insp Moroney said: "The speed cameras are operated by the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership, which is independent of the constabulary. I have already spoken with them to see if they are able to deploy cameras at The Down and Wyke Road.

"Unfortunately the rules under which they operate are very prescriptive and the route does not have a speed-related injury collision history that would warrant their intervention."