Average speed cameras to be placed on key road

AVERAGE speed cameras are to be installed along a key stretch of Stratford Road in Solihull at a cost of £200,000.

Cameras will be put in place on the A34 Stratford Road which runs from Birmingham and through Shirley.

They will go from the M42 junction 4 Island to the island at Marshall Lake Road, a 2.4-mile stretch of the eight-mile A-road.

It comes after a pilot was launched in 2016 which saw three locations in Solihull have average speed cameras installed.

Shirley councillor Tim Hodgson said he wanted the measure to go even further to slow down speeding motorists on the carriageway.

Cllr Hodgson said: “These camera have worked very successfully in other parts of Solihull like Lode Lane, significantly reducing speeding traffic.

“I have asked that when funds allow, average speed cameras are also installed along the Stratford Road from the Marshall Lake Road island to the

Birmingham boundary.”

A report released by the council said the stretch of the Stratford Road had a “history of speeding, car cruising and road traffic collisions”.

“It is therefore recommended that a budget of £200,000 be approved to introduce ASE speed enforcement along the A34 corridor,” it read.

The report also suggested £68,473 should be set aside for annual maintenance costs and in case redundant camera housing was vandalised.

“The pilot scheme has successfully demonstrated that ASE has a positive impact on speed limit compliance,” the report went on.

“More consistent overall journey speeds also help to improve road safety and reduce vehicle pollution levels, thereby improving air quality.

“It is therefore recommended that the use of ASE cameras should continue in Solihull.”