Speed cameras could be switched on soon

Average speed cameras installed to protect workers upgrading the north-east’s busiest road could finally be switched on next week.

The controversial devices were set up along the A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road between Blackdog and Balmedie three months ago, but have not yet been switched on.

Last night a spokeswoman for the North Safety Camera Unit – who installed the cameras after repeated complaints that motorists were flouting the 50mph in place to protect the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route workers – said: “At the beginning of this week, small adjustments were made to the positioning of the average speed cameras in order for them to produce the best quality images of vehicles involved in alleged speeding offences.

“Test images must now be viewed before a suitable date for the cameras to go live can be established.”

Tolong-suffering motorists on the A90 north of Aberdeen, the extraordinary sight of new average-speed cameras which have not worked for three months must be baffling.

This is especially so as they were installed to protect the safety of Aberdeen bypass workers from speeding drivers. We now hear that testing is complete despite some technical setbacks which have beset the project. One wonders how much all this is costing the taxpayer, but this is not to belittle the important safety issues here.

There is always natural suspicion about average-speed cameras and their contribution to driver safety, when they are accused of frustrating drivers, but we shall see.