Safe Speed Forums

Link to Birmingham Post article

(link hidden by moderator to improve formatting)

Government put brakes on speed cameras
Jul 16 2005
By Jonathan Walker, Political Editor

Ministers are blocking the installation of more than 80 speed cameras across the West Midlands.

No new applications for camera sites will be granted until an independent review of their effectiveness is concluded, the Department of Transport said yesterday.

An application from West Midlands Police to install 36 new cameras has been rejected, as has an application for 28 new cameras from the West Mercia force.

Warwickshire Police had applied for seven new cameras, while Staffordshire Police had applied for 12.

Speed cameras are the responsibility of partnerships involving police and local authorities.

The AA backed the decision, but road safety group Brake said it "could cost lives".

More than two million drivers received speed camera fines last year, ten times the figure a decade ago.

Road Safety Minister Stephen Ladyman, who himself has been caught by speed cameras three times, is overseeing the review.

Ministers are understood to be concerned that partnerships are failing to consider alternatives, such as introducing zebra crossings or traffic lights, or improving road surfaces, before bringing in the cameras.

Partnerships are allowed to keep some of the money they raise in speeding fines.

The review, by academics from University College London, is expected to be completed later this year.

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "Every year, those in the camera partnership scheme submit applications to us for new camera sites.

"This year we are waiting for this independent review to be completed before approving any new sites. The review has been delayed. There should have been a report out in June, but it's taking longer than expected."

She went on: "We are not blocking the use of new cameras. It's important that we get everything right in relation to the whole issue of cameras."

Meanwhile, the Safe Speed road safety campaign group highlighted DfT figures which it said showed that the growth of speed cameras had been "strongly curtailed" in 2004.

Safe Speed said that while the number of fixed and mobile sites between 2002 and 2003 grew by 33 per cent, the growth was under 1 per cent for 2003 to 2004.

Safe speed founder Paul Smith said: "Now we know the true reason why road deaths fell last year. The Government got cold feet with their dangerous speed camera programme, put on the brakes and saved some lives.

"Speed cameras are a dangerous distraction to drivers, police and local authorities alike. In almost every case there's something else that's more important to road safety than strict speed limit compliance."

AA Motoring Trust director Bert Morris said: "We support the Government's decision to defer consideration of new camera sites pending the review.

"There continues to be quite high levels of public support for speed cameras, but that support is fragile. The review will provide a sounder basis for decision-making on speed camera use."

I'm not aware of any un bias poll that shows support for cameras - can anyone find one?