Average speed camera set to be turned on this week

Sharnford and two others roads targeted by council

OFFICIALS have revealed when and where the first of a new batch of speed cameras will be switched on in Leicestershire.

The county council has been putting the devices up in seven speeding hotspots as part of a 12-month, £500,000 trial scheme.

The first three of them are set to commence enforcement at some point this week.

One will be installed in the notorious speeding hotspot of the B4114 in Sharnford.

The other two will be on the A4304 Lutterworth Road, Walcote and Burton Road, Measham.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa represents Sharnford where he says residents have lobbied him about speeding in the village.

“‘The installation of these average cameras are a huge boost for the village,” he said.

“As I am sure many residents will attest, Sharnford has sadly had more than its fair share of speeding vehicles and high profile accidents over the years, so I am delighted that Leicestershire County Council have listened to the views of residents and decided to press ahead with this scheme.

“The safety of my constituents is of course always paramount, and these cameras will ensure that vehicles are travelling through the village in a safe and orderly manner”.

A County Hall spokesman said: “We are currently working to complete the installation of the average speed cameras across the county.

“While some of the cameras have been installed, there is more work to be done to ensure the cameras are fully compliant and enforceable by the police.

“We anticipate that enforcement for all seven sites will begin early September.

“When the cameras are in operation, warning signs will be displayed temporarily for motorists.”

Average speed cameras track a driver’s speed over a distance, not just at the location of a single camera.

Drivers caught speeding by the cameras will be given a £100 fixed penalty fine and three points on their licence. The other cameras will be at: A50 Leicester Road, Markfield Road, Bradgate Hill, Groby;

A6 Harborough Road and Glen Road, Oadby;

Beacon Road, Woodhouse Eaves;

B676 Saxby Road, Wyfordby, Freeby.

No date has yet been set for their activation.

Following the trial, the authority will look to widen out the camera programme if the Government allows it to keep some of the cash generated by the cameras.

Currently, money generated through camera fines are retained by the Treasury.

But the county council has asked the Government to consider allowing this revenue to be retained by local authorities to cover the capital cost of the average speed cameras, after which the revenue would revert to Government.

This would allow further rollouts of this type of enforcement measure across the county.