Safe Speed Forums

Cutting speed limit means cameras will go - warning
Here
chris.havergal@cambridge-news.co.uk
Home - Speed camera SPEED cameras at a notorious junction would be dismantled if the limit there was cut - to avoid "accusations of money making".
Villagers believe slashing the maximum from 70mph to 50mph each side of the Odsey turning of the A505, near Royston, would reduce the number of crashes and potentially save lives.
Campaigners have received support from councillors and MPs Andrew Lansley and Oliver Heald.
But speed camera bosses say the devices were installed at the site in 2007 and warn they would be taken away if the limit went down to 50mph.
In a report to go before councillors on Monday, area highways chief Richard Jones said he had consulted officers from the Hertfordshire Safety Camera Partnership.

He says: "Their view is the measures already carried out have successfully reduced the collision trend identified.
"Therefore, if the speed limit was reduced and the cameras remained, the partnership would be open to accusations of money making.
"In such circumstances it would not be possible to justify keeping the cameras."

Mr Jones will tell members of the North Hertfordshire highways partnership joint member panel that speed limits should not be used to solve problems linked to isolated hazards such as a junction.
But Cllr Tony Turner, chairman of Steeple Morden Parish Council, disagreed.
He told the News: "I think the main problem with this is that the top priority for the highways people is maintaining traffic flow along the A505, a major eastwest trunk route.
"The safety of those trying to join it or cross takes a rather distant second place in their view."
Cllr Turner added: "Neighbouring Bedfordshire Highways seem quite happy to have a 50mph limit on the A1 north of Biggleswade, even though it's a more modern stretch of road with much better sightlines.
"I don't hear anyone citing that as having set a dangerous precedent or accusing highways of doing it just to make money out of speed cameras - well, not any more than they do of speed cameras in general."
Mr Jones says there were two crashes which caused injury in the 18 months after the cameras were installed, neither of which was linked to turning movements into Station Road.
Hertfordshire police supports a 70mph limit.

Mr Jones says there were two crashes which caused injury in the 18 months after the cameras were installed, neither of which was linked to turning movements into Station Road.
Hertfordshire police supports a 70mph limit.

.unfortunetly councils and councillors have a habit of ignoring these guidelines for their own misguided attempts ("cutting the speed limit will cure the problem every time")

I am aware of some Councillors that do not want Cameras - but they get over-ruled, which must be very frustrating for them.