Speed cameras should be removed from the roads says Councillor

A Portsmouth City Councillor says that speed cameras should be removed and replaced with mobile units as they are not working.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson who is the leader of Portsmouth City Council has been discussing the future of speed cameras with other senior councillors.

He believes that the seven fixed cameras in Portsmouth do not have a huge effect on speeding drivers particularly in the 20mph zones.

He feels that more focus should be put onto the mobile police cameras that catch more motorists out.

He also feels that there should be negotiation directly with the police as to the best way to proceed in more effective targeting of motorists exceeding the speed limits.

He said 'The whole point of the Safer Roads Partnership was to reduce speeds across our area and we don't feel the fixed cameras are doing that effectively enough.

'Cameras are a deterrent and make people slow down but then they speed up and shoot off again.

'People thinking that the police are out and about everywhere doing speed checks would be a far better deterrent than a camera.'

Hampshire county council Head of Environment, Cllr Mel Kendal, said that although fixed speed cameras had cut fatalities it was time for change.
'We have a social obligation in villages and other areas where people feel speeding is an issue, but that might not be accident spots. I have discussed that with the police.
'I am hoping there will be more mobile units.'

07 October 2008

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