Swindon becomes first town to ban speed cameras

[Jenjie]

Swindon has became the first town in the UK to do away with fixed-point speed cameras.

 

The nine-strong cabinet of the Tory-run council voted unanimously in favour of withdrawing from the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership.

 

The idea of withdrawing was first suggested 12 months ago by Peter Greenhalgh, councillor for highways in Swindon.

 

This came after a change to the way fixed-point cameras were funded. Mr Greenhalgh objected to central Government receiving the cash from fines while Swindon Council had to pay for the upkeep of the cameras.

 

Speaking tonight after the vote, he said: “I understand we are the first council in Britain to get rid of fixed-point speed cameras.” Just because there will be no more fixed-point speed traps in the town does not mean motorists cannot be caught, he said.

 

Police will still be out and about with hand-held speed-measuring devices. Mr Greenhalgh added: “We will be working very closely with our partners, including police in the road safety partnership to deliver a plan that reduced the number of people being killed on the roads in Swindon.”

 

He said that in 2007/08 70 people had been killed on the streets of Swindon and that this was proof that fixed-point speed cameras were not working to curb motorists’ excessive speed.

 

He said that alternative speed-reducing measures were being considered by the Council now, including education and training for motorists and reduced speed limits in problem areas.

 

This news will be celebrated by motorists across the land, chief among them Jeremy Clarkson, presenter of BBC’s Top Gear who has in the past voiced heart-felt support for Mr Greenhalgh on his programme.

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article4998031.ece

[Jenjie]

 

This came after a change to the way fixed-point cameras were funded. Mr Greenhalgh objected to central Government receiving the cash from fines while Swindon Council had to pay for the upkeep of the cameras.

 

so they're not doing it for moral reasons, just financial because they feel hard done by

[Black Rose]

Misleading title, they haven't banned speed cameras, just the fixed cameras. The rozzers will still be hiding in bushes and on top of motorway bridges with mobile cameras.

 

If the governement stoped charging people £60 for the benefit of a pretty picture, I wonder how many speed cameras will be left?

 

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I'm not against speed cameras, when they are used properly, where speeders have caused accidents in the past, not used on empty parts of dual-carriageways where there hasn't been any accidents which were the cause of speeders. (But FYI, the camera on the 303 east-bound at amesbury doesn't flash until you doing 85mph, but the camera west-bound flashes at 78)

[mc_squared]

Misleading title, they haven't banned speed cameras, just the fixed cameras. The rozzers will still be hiding in bushes and on top of motorway bridges with mobile cameras.

 

If the governement stoped charging people £60 for the benefit of a pretty picture, I wonder how many speed cameras will be left?

 

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I'm not against speed cameras, when they are used properly, where speeders have caused accidents in the past, not used on empty parts of dual-carriageways where there hasn't been any accidents which were the cause of speeders. (But FYI, the camera on the 303 east-bound at amesbury doesn't flash until you doing 85mph, but the camera west-bound flashes at 78)

 

Exactly. What annoys people is the lack of consistency and the blatant misuse of the cameras just to earn a fast buck.:angry:

[a_face_of_light]

I have no idea how I've still got a clean driving licence, still if the day ever does come I will just show them my US one which they can't do much to while my UK one sits safely at home:D

[Jenjie]

depends how long you've been living in the uk for.

[Black Rose]

I drove past the site of a former speed-camera breaking the speed limit in the early wee hours this morning :cool: