County speed camera placings explained
HIGHWAYS bosses have set out their reasons for their choice of sites for seven new average speed cameras on roads around Leicestershire.
Leicestershire County Council activated the first three of the cameras – in Walcote, Sharnford and Measham - which have begun catching drivers exceeding the speed limits.
Drivers caught on camera speeding will be given a £100 fixed penalty fine and three points on their licence.
Some motorists say the cameras are not justified because some of the new enforcement areas have low accident and casualty rates.
However, the council says its £500,000, 12-month pilot scheme is designed to respond to community concerns about speed, rather dealing with the most dangerous areas, and have pointed out speeding is illegal on all roads.
They are running the scheme on the “offender pays’’ principle.
As the switch-on of the cameras begins, council leader Nick Rushton has made a direct approach to the Government, asking it to consider allowing the county council to retain the money generated from the fines to cover the installation and running costs of the average speed cameras. This usually goes directly to the Treasury.
He said he wants to keep the fines income to cover the cost of putting up cameras and running them and then all further cash will go to the Government.
Coun Rushton said: “We want the county’s roads to be as safe as they can be – we owe it to the communities who are affected by speeding motorists.
“If the trial is a success, we’d want to roll it out further, but that’s not currently possible so I’m hoping HM Treasury will listen to our case and I’d welcome further talks.”
In a letter to Robert Jenrick, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Coun Rushton said the scheme being piloted in Leicestershire would “reduce deaths and casualties, increase long-term revenue for the Treasury and enable Central Government to provide a visible and tangible benefit to local communities.’’
He also outlined that the trial will lead to a fall in the use of road humps, which complies with Government advice for their removal as an anti-pollution measure. The speed camera trial has also won the backing of county MPs.