As the new year gets underway, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) is proud to announce new funding for ten local parish projects designed to make roads safer for everyone across Northamptonshire.
So far this year, more than £90,000 has been awarded to road safety projects across the county. In addition, through the Safe and Sound programme, the OPFCC has supported wider community safety initiatives with £94,500 in external projects, alongside a further £6,000 invested in internal initiatives designed to help keep residents safe.
These initiatives form part of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone’s ongoing commitment to community safety and will help residents feel more secure as parish councils put the Commissioner’s grants to use. Road safety is one of the issues most frequently raised by residents across Northamptonshire, and it remains a top priority in her Police, Fire and Crime Plan.
Recent grants awarded through the Commissioner’s Grant Scheme will support practical measures to tackle speeding and improve road safety across the county. These include upgrading old equipment, upgrading Speed Indicator Devices to solar power, installing village gateways to encourage safer driving, adding entrance gates and safety equipment, introducing movable speed signs to target speeding hotspots, and installing vehicle‑activated signs in key locations.
Parish councils receiving funding through this round include Thornby (£1,881) to update and convert existing Speed Indicator Devices to solar power, and Welford (£1,400) for village gateways. Pilton, Stoke Doyle and Wadenhoe Parish Council have been awarded £5,000 for new entrance gates and safety equipment, while Lutton will receive £5,000 for a movable solar powered speed sign to help target speeding hotspots. Weldon will benefit from £2,500 for two Vehicle Activated Signs, and Chelveston cum Caldecott has secured £2,500 to upgrade its existing Speed Indicator Devices. Evenley has been granted £1,591.50 towards the purchase and installation of a Speed Indicator Device, Grendon has secured £4,579 to purchase and install two Vehicle Activated Speed Signs, Braybrooke has received £4,000 to install bollards as part of its local road safety project, and Benefield has been awarded £2,466.25 towards the purchase of equipment to support its Village Road Safety Initiative.
Each of these measures is aimed at reducing speeding and improving safety for all road users.
The grants are available to a variety of community organisations within Northamptonshire to support projects that align with the priorities set out in the Commissioner’s Police, Fire and Crime Plan. Many of the initiatives funded to date aim to improve road safety, reduce speeding, and address parking or motoring issues often found around schools.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “Road safety is one of the issues most frequently raised by residents across Northamptonshire, and it remains a top priority in my Police, Fire and Crime Plan.
“These grants enable us to deliver practical, community‑led solutions that slow down traffic, deter dangerous and anti‑social driving, and create safer environments for everyone. By investing in measures such as speed indicators, village gateways and vehicle‑activated signs, we are empowering local communities to act and make a real difference on the roads where they live.”
These efforts also support the UK Government’s recently launched Road Safety Strategy, which sets out a vision for reducing casualties and improving safety through evidence‑based interventions, community engagement, and innovative approaches such as speed management and safer infrastructure. By funding these local projects, the OPFCC is helping to deliver on these national priorities at a local level.
Cllr Andrew Seaman, Chair of Chelveston‑cum‑Caldecott Parish Council, said: “Reducing the speed of vehicles throughout our communities plays a key part in supporting the OPFCC Road Safety Initiative. Here in Chelveston‑cum‑Caldecott we have been using Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) at the entry points to our village for many years now with a good degree of success.
“These are very effective in warning drivers that they are exceeding the designated speed limit by indicating their speed and asking them to slow down if necessary. They have also been useful in collecting data on the speed of vehicles, which we can use to inform Highways when looking for additional measures. Our SIDs recently needed replacement, so thanks to a grant from the OPFCC we have been able to replace them and continue looking after our community.”
The Commissioner is welcoming applications from schools and community groups seeking funding for road safety projects. If you are experiencing parking issues at the school gates or have concerns about speeding in your village or town, you can apply for a grant of between £500 and £5,000 to make improvements where you live.
Danielle Stone concluded: “By working with partners and parish councils, we can make a real difference and ensure our roads are safer for everyone.”
For more information on how to apply for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s grants, please visit the Grant Schemes page on the website: https://www.northantspfcc.org.uk or email funding@northantspfcc.gov.uk.
