Active Fixed Speed Cameras Return to Bristol

[RobBrady]

Bristol's Mayor, George Ferguson has announced that fixed speed cameras in the city will be switched back on early next year.

Speed and red light cameras were switched off following the government's decision to end Safety Camera Partnership funding back in 2011.

Ferguson said that work would begin next year to reactivate up to 26 speed and traffic light cameras and money raised would be used for enforcement and maintenance of the cameras.

As 20mph areas are introduced across the city, The Mayor and Police Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens also announced that 15 community speed watch schemes are to be launched in the area manned by trained volunteers who will monitor speeds.

Avon and Somerset, Chief Constable Nick Gargan commented on speed cameras: "National research shows that they have a positive impact on driver behaviour and we have been working with the council to identify a cost neutral way of reactivating them."

Interestingly, and seemingly at odds with those who argue that speed cameras are cash cows, Somerset County Council, which borders Bristol, said they had considered reactivating cameras but the cost would be "prohibitive".

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Robert Brady

[DennisN]

It has been rumoured for some time that the Bristol cameras were off. But we never seemed to get reports or submissions to take them off the database. The boxes are all still there and it would be a brave driver who decided to let rip past them!

The Chief Constable was also recently reported as having asked Somerset to switch theirs back on too and he was also apparently considering buying and operating them himself (well, his policemen).

But it truly brings back the question of cash cow or safety device, when it comes into consideration whether 'they' can identify a cost neutral way of reactivating them and how reactivating Somerset cameras would be cost-prohibitive.

Frankly IMO the way to deal with speed problems is to have a very highly publicised police exercise for a month or two every year with zero tolerance. - Y'know, a big sign saying "Zero tolerance in Bristol, 31mph = £100 and three points". There are too many people out there who think the 30mph speed limit really means 35mph.
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[Snudge]

The only assumption is that nobody speeds in Somerset so the cost of operating them cannot be recovered by fines......but Bristol is full of speeders?

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