Speed Monitoring

You may have seen speed measuring devices at various posts in the village. These are called Mobile Vehicle Activated Signs (MVAS), sometimes known as Speed Indicating Devices (SID). The purpose of these devices is to make drivers aware of their speed by displaying their speed, and to record speed and traffic volumes in a database for further analysis. The Great Wilbraham Parish Council (GWPC) currently has 3 such devices.

The MVAS unit is activated by an approaching vehicle and displays its speed, and also saves the date, time and speed internally. These data are downloaded later and provide valuable information for the GWPC about the use of the roads through the village and in formulating policy for this use.

Why is it useful?

The MVAS units make drivers aware of their speed and encourage them to slow down if they are driving above the speed limit. The units are especially useful for alerting drivers at the entry points to the village where the 20mph speed limit begins.

What have we learnt so far?

The current MVAS units have been operating for 3 years at various locations within the village, but at the time of writing, August 2025, having been working with the 20mph limit for 5 months. The MVAS units have shown there has been a reduction in average speed since the introduction of the new speed limit, but also that many vehicles are exceeding the new limit. This is a particular problem in The Lanes where vehicles approach the school.

How will data be shared?

With 3 MVAS units, there is lot of a data, and these are added to monthly. The data are provided to the Highways Transport and Cycling Committee (HTCC) for their use, and a summary will be provided periodically to residents.

Who is moving the device?

The County Council requires the MVAS units to be moved monthly. In any event, they must be moved back to the permanent posts at the entries to the village in order for the internal batteries to be recharged by the solar panels. The units are being moved by a small team of volunteers led by Monica Bradley with the help of Andy Martin and Richard Bray. We would like to thank them for their time.

Future plans

The MVAS units will continue to be moved around the village to provide speed and traffic data, and from time to time will be used to collect specific data such as those we have used to support the GWPC’ s Local Highways Improvement (LHI) application for a formal crossing outside the school. Monitoring the volume of through traffic between the A11 and Newmarket Road, a possible so-called rat run, is in hand. Above all, the MVAS units will be positioned and used with a view to making the village safer for both pedestrians and drivers.