Safe Speed Forums

SENIOR politicians today admitted for the first time that they believe many speed cameras in the West Midlands are there purely to raise cash.

The stark claim was made as a team of consultants was appointed to assess every single speed camera site in the region.

Any which are not there for safety reasons will be ripped out. This has already happened to three.

Consultants Mott McDonald will travel out to all 300 sites and will analyse accident data after being commissioned by the West Midlands planning and transportation sub committee.

This committee contains senior councillors from across the seven local authorities in the West Midlands.

Chairman Coun Les Kyles said: "Members of the committee are very concerned, together with members of the public that the cameras are there to gather cash and nothing else.

"What we have to do is make sure there are safety reasons and if there are not then they will be taken away. Quite simply speed cameras are there to stop accidents. We have to make sure that is the only reason they are there."

But road safety campaigners say accident rates have dropped drastically since the widespread introduction of cameras.

In the last 12 months alone, 55,000 West Midland motorists paid fines totalling £3.29 million, compared to 46,000 drivers paying out £2.76 million the previous year. The West Midlands Casualty Reduction Partnership claims there has been a 39 per cent reduction in casualties at areas covered by cameras.

The three cameras ripped out include one on the A45 Stonebridge Flyover, Solihull, and two on the Coventry Ring Road.

Bit of a U turn given the infamous audit that found that every single camera in the UK was sited properly. No surprises there then.