Cash crisis leads to speed camera review

The use of fixed speed cameras across Bedfordshire is being reviewed after Government funding was slashed by almost £1 million.

Three councils – Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton – are set to make a decision on which cameras will remain and which are no longer needed by next month following a large dent in their road safety money pot.

The coalition Government cut Bedford Borough Council’s Road Safety Grant by £241,194, Central Bedfordshire’s by £377,251 and Luton’s by £239,311.

Cllr David McVicar, portfolio holder for safer communities and healthier lifestyles at Central Bedfordshire Council, explained following a risk assessment of each camera, including red-light cameras – 35 in Central Bedfordshire and 12 in Bedford Borough – those that are not required will be shut off.

He said: “The Government’s cut to the area-based road safety grant has hit Central Bedfordshire, and Bedfordshire as a whole, hard.

“The speed cameras in Central Bedfordshire have been located at accident ‘blackspots’ where there have been high numbers of serious and fatal accidents resulting from speeding vehicles.

Last year 11,783 people were caught speeding by the fixed cameras in Bedfordshire and £1,119,000 was collected in fines.

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for environment and transport at Bedford Borough Council, said: “The public often do not realise that the council receives no income from fines resulting from speed enforcement.

“We are currently reviewing the options available to us since Central Government cut funding for cameras.

“There are still substantial resources available, despite the cut which has been announced, and we and our partners are committed to making the best use of the available money to protect life and spare families the emotional trauma of having a relative killed or seriously injured on the roads.”