Less speeders caught as cameras are shut down
SPEEDING prosecutions across Rossendale have dropped by more than a third after eight fixed speed cameras were taken out of action, new figures reveal.
Exclusive police statistics released to our sister paper the Rossendale Free Press show the number of active fixed cameras dropped from 14 in 2016 to just six last year.
The “deeply concerning” reduction has seen prosecutions for motorists speeding in the Valley plummet from 554 in 2016 to just 351 last year.
Lancashire Police say they are upgrading their fixed sites to accept ‘digitised cameras’ and some sites have not been in use while they wait for replacements.
But Coun Steve Hughes said residents could be being put at risk.
He said: “These figures are deeply concerning as spending is a massive issues across Rossendale and it simply isn’t acceptable that over half of fixed speed cameras have been taken out of action.
“Speed cameras often act as a deterrent to spending drivers but the moment people realise they are not working, they become redundant.
“This is yet another example of where continued budget pressures from government are putting residents in Rossendale at risk.”
Community campaigner Barry Hyde questioned the point of camera installations that weren’t in use.
He said: “People get to know that cameras aren’t active and they think they can take a chance.
“If they’re going to have a camera, make sure it’s an active camera, because if not, what’s the point?
“If the numbers that are caught are low, then it’s not a deterrent.”
Rossendale MP Jake Berry said speeding in the borough is a key concern of residents.
He said: “Speeding traffic is something that many of my constituents contact me about and although the number of the traditional ‘fixed cameras’ may have fallen the police have introduced other methods to prevent speeding.
“As well as the new average speed cameras on Grane Road, the police also use mobile units and hand held cameras which have been used at a number of locations that I have raised with them, such as Haslingden Old Road, Burnley Road and Burnley Road East.”
More than 1,400 drivers have still been caught speeding across the Valley in the last three years, ●●The speed camera on Market Street near Moss Side Street in Shawforth, had the most detections in Rossendale in 2017 – snapping 175 drivers with the highest speed recorded by a fixed speed camera being 81mph.
In 2015 and 2016 the A681 Haslingden Road camera near Melia Close, Rawtenstall was the top camera with 159 and 180 detections respectively.
Last year, it was overtaken by the A671 Market Street near Moss Side Street in Shawforth with 175 detections.
Road safety campaigner Ann Taylor said more creative solutions to the problem including ‘rumble strips’ and ‘clever use of verges, flowerbeds, planters and trees’ should be looked at.
She said: “Drivers would choose to slow down without us needing the clutter of ugly yellow bollards, glaring signs, unnecessary road markings and speed cameras.
“We have horrendous speeding and accidents in Rossendale.
“People want to put their foot down and they don’t consider the accidents they can cause.”