Safe Speed Forums

First suburban average speed cameras turned on in Poole

The first average speed cameras in a suburban area in the UK have been switched on in Dorset.

The cameras, which measure speed over a stretch of road, were turned on outside Springdale First school in Poole.

Until now, average speed cameras have only been seen through road works on motorways.

The school was chosen for the six-month trial by nearby engineering firm Siemens, which is running the system and collating all the information.

However no offending motorists will be prosecuted until the system gets Home Office approval.

Mark Bonner-Moris, of Siemens, said: "Essentially we cannot prosecute them because the system has not got Home Office approval.

Child designs

"Ultimately, once the system is Home Office-approved, which will hopefully be early next year, they can be prosecuted.

"Until that time, all we're trying to do is demonstrate the effectiveness of the system."

Children at the school have designed road signs to accompany the new cameras.

Schoolgirl Eryn Young, whose design is being used, said: "It's a message for cars to slow down so people can cross the road and no-one can get hurt."

Head teacher Ruth leach said: "Road safety is an integral part of the curriculum and has been for many years, so this is just a part of that message for the children."

Schoolgirl Eryn Young, whose design is being used, said: "It's a message for cars to slow down so people can cross the road and no-one can get hurt."

Until now, average speed cameras have only been seen through road works on motorways.

So those on the A616 near Stocksbridge are my imagination then?

Quality reporting yet again.

...and will they operate 24 hours per day outside the school to "protect the children" at midnight? Of course they will.

So let's think about this. Springdale First School is probably like most Infant/Junior schools in that a lot of children arrive/depart by car at up to 4 times per day. These cars are generally driven by mothers who park all over the place and make a terrible hazard. However, these hazard causing drivers will not be touched by the average speed cameras. They will drive up (fast?) to the school, stop for a bit, drive off fast and be totally immune.

And the A46 near Newark.

TBH Springdale Rd is usually very slow moving at school run time. That whole bit of Broadstone sort of seizes up...

It says "first suburban", not first.

Until now, average speed cameras have only been seen through road works on motorways.

It also said:

As Homer rightly said: "quality reporting" !