Critics have expressed anger about a body that decides whether speed limits on Devon roads should be reduced because of their claim the process is “secret”.
Various members of Devon’s largest council have expressed dismay at the unelected SCARF committee deciding whether to reduce speed limits on roads or not.
The issue has been raised at Devon County Council, which is part of the SCARF entity, because of claims by some councillors about its apparent ability to make decisions without the oversight of elected representatives.
“I do have concerns about the SCARF process and the level of democratic scrutiny and involvement of local members in decisions around road safety intervention,” said Councillor Frank Biederman (Liberal Democrat, Fremington Rural).
SCARF – or Speed Compliance Action Review Forum – is a joint process between Devon County Council and Devon & Cornwall Police that assesses speed concerns in what its website calls a “consistent manner”.
Concerns raised to the body are assessed, but not all undergo the full SCARF process. Those that do make the cut are put through a speed detection assessment for data to be gathered, and outcomes range from education to enforcement, or even engineering changes to the road layout.
Cllr Biederman has pushed for the county council to “urgently review” a decision to hold the speed limit at 40mph on the B3233 between Fremington and Instow, claiming that the significant volume of traffic on it is negatively impacting the lives of residents.
“The reality is that in Yelland, it has grown so much with significant [housing] development – upwards of 1,000 homes – and the number of car movements that creates is huge,” Cllr Biederman said.
“Every door I knock on in Yelland, the residents tell me they fear crossing the road. They have to stand there forever for an opportunity to cross, but with the size of vehicles, too, they fear leaving their homes and they are becoming socially isolated.”
He added he was “fed up” with SCARF because it seemed to be a “blockage to getting anything done in our communities”.
Fellow member, Councillor Alan Connett (Liberal Democrat, Exminster & Haldon) asked for more transparency about the SCARF committee and process.
“I ask the highways cabinet member [Councillor Dan Thomas] whether he agrees that we need to pull the curtain back and let light into the secret process of SCARF meetings, and to have them in the diary so local members are informed about when they are happening,” he said at Devon’s full council earlier this month.
Cllr Thomas acknowledged the frustration, but noted there were difficulties with creating a prospective calendar for the meeting, because operational pressures on the police meant they were often reorganised.
“In terms of ‘opening up the darkness’, as Cllr Connett says, I note the wish to let councillors know when meetings have happened and the minutes of them,” Cllr Thomas said.
“But if councillors want to attend, that is going to be a potential stumbling block in the sense that the SCARF process is very much fact- and risk-based, and it has been free of politicisation, something we as councillors inherently bring with us,” he said.
“If the suggestion is that we attend but don’t speak, that could be welcomed, but I don’t put much money on that happening.”
Cllr Thomas said he would discuss the issue further with Cllr Connett “on a way forward that allows democracy in”.
Another North Devon member, Councillor Ed Tyldesley (Liberal Democrat, Chulmleigh & Landkey), also complained about SCARF, echoing both Cllr Biederman and Cllr Connett’s comments.
“I appreciate SCARF is data-led, but the experience of living by a road is not exclusively about data, but about feelings too, and we as councillors would like to provide the local feelings about how a road is experienced by residents,” he said.
SCARF’s process is available via a dedicated webpage on the Devon County Council website.
It states that the method used for its speed analysis looks at the mean or average speed and the 85th percentile speed – meaning the speed at which 85 per cent of drivers travel at or below – to determine if there is a speeding issue.
In an example, it states that in a 30mph speed limit, a mean speed of 30mph would normally be expected to have an 85th percentile speed of no greater than 35mph.
It explains the five potential outcomes, ranging from a ‘Level 0’ – which is no action – to ‘Level 4’ – which is mobile camera enforcement or an engineered solution to the road.
Sewage spill in Exmouth renews focus on resilience
Devon Truck Show gets a green light for 2027 in spite of concerns
Chief Constable to lead police force for a further two years
New figures highlight ongoing Meningitis B risk for students
Police warn drivers to plan ahead and not be tempted to drink and drive
Devon council seeks further clarification from government before taking a decision to issue proceedings
Walk this way as Exeter prepares for first ever walking festival
Connect to Work presents free online sessions on inclusive employment
Projected £88m special needs overspend highlights bailout urgency
Quarry dust pressure leads to monitoring pledge
Manipulative and violent man jailed for terrifying attacks on women
Cranbrook Country Park Wins BALI Award for Nature Conservation & Biodiversity Enhancement
South West communities asked to help shape energy future
Almost time for Heritage Open Days in Exeter
Exeter determined to stick with its expanded ‘super-council’ plan
Exeter organisations join forces to improve access to free drinking water
