Council wants to keep speed camera fines

New trials are rolled out

THE county council is stepping up its campaign to initially keep the fines from a 12-month average speed camera trial which could then lead to a further roll-out of average speed cameras across Leicestershire.

Seven sites have already been identified for the trial with the cameras being switched on in Sharnford, Measham and Walcote this week, with other cameras in parts of Woodhouse Eaves, Oadby, Groby and Freeby becoming operational over the next month.

As the switch-on starts, leader Coun Nick Rushton has also made a direct approach to the Government asking it to consider allowing the county council to retain the money generated from fines to cover the installation and running costs of the average speed cameras.

Once the costs have been met, the fines would then revert to the Government. Currently, all the money generated through camera fines is retained by HM Treasury.

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, Mr 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.

The 12-month trial and enforcement will cost around £500,000, and the locations of the speed cameras include Beacon Road in Woodhouse Eaves.