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Tories pledge to cut speed cameras
A Conservative Government says it would cut off all funding for new fixed speed cameras in Lancashire.
Local authorities in the county would also face major hurdles if they are determined to plough ahead and fund new Gatso sites themselves.
The Conservatives highlighted figures which showed that despite the presence of 293 fixed speed cameras in Lancashire, there were 7,199 people injuries or deaths on the county's roads last year.
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said: "Labour's dependence on fixed speed cameras has blinded them to the effectiveness of the alternatives.
"It is time to say enough is enough on fixed speed cameras – we have reached the high watermark."
The Tories want to promote a switch away from speed cameras and towards education campaigns and vehicle activated signs, which tell motorists when they are driving too fast.
The driving test could be modified to put a greater emphasis on speed reduction.
>> Temporary speed cameras net 381,000
>> Fixed speed cameras could be scrapped
In a wide-ranging announcement, Ms Villiers said a Conservative Government would axe the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, which currently runs the county's army of fixed cameras, and prevent any Whitehall funding from being used to set up new sites.
Councils will only be allowed to set up new fixed cameras if they can prove that there is no other way of reducing speed.
Even if they clear this hurdle, they will have to fund any new cameras themselves out of the money they raise from the council tax and not through road safety cash.
They will also have to publish an annual report on each camera showing the amount of money raised in fines.
Lancashire's speed cameras last year raised 3.4m in fines in 2007, as prosecutions for driving while disqualified, drink-driving, uninsured driving – and the number of traffic police – dropped to their lowest levels in a decade.
Ms Villiers also announced a move to reducing roadwork congestion by forcing utility companies to pay a rental fee for the time they occupy on the roads. She said a consultation will be held to decide how high this fee should be.
Gas, electricity and water companies will also have to abide by a new code of conduct for digging up roads.
She added: "A Conservative Government will focus on tackling the congestion that is costing the economy billions and the resulting hassle that has made travelling in the UK so grim."
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
