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UPDATED: Speed cameras’ future unsure
2:28pm Friday 16th May 2008
CONFUSION surrounds the future of speed cameras in Swindon.
Last November Swindon Council threatened to pull out of the group which runs the speed camera operation unless Government agreed to plough all the revenue they generate back into the town.
In January the Adver revealed Government had refused to hand back the cash.
Despite the council adopting the drop out motion at a meeting in November, still nothing has changed.
Now the councillor behind the withdrawal plan says talks on the cameras' futures in Swindon are ongoing.
But Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership says it has heard nothing from the council and has funding for the next year.
"Nothing is happening with the speed cameras at the moment because we are still in talks," said councillor Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Council cabinet member for highways, transport and strategic planning.
"There is a meeting planned with the speed camera partnership next month, I think."
Coun Greenhalgh previously told the Adver that he was not against speed cameras - just that he thought they had been placed in positions to catch drivers and generate cash for the Government.
He also said that even if the council dropped out of the Wiltshire partnership it may run its own operation in other areas.
But Nisha Devani, manager of the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership, said that Swindon council would need legislation before it could run its own scheme.
She also said cameras were positioned at accident blackspots to improve road safety, not make money. Figures produced by the partnership revealed that sites where cameras have been fixed in positions have seen a 67.21 per cent drop in the number of fatal and serious injuries since they were introduced.
"If Swindon Council wants to come and see us and talk about this it would be very welcome," said Ms Devani.
"But no-one has come to speak to us. We want to talk to them so they have the relevant information.
"What we do know is that we will be getting funding as normal this financial year. We haven't been told of any change."
Ms Devani also confirmed that out-of-operation cameras in Swindon would soon be back in working order.
"Cameras on the A420 at South Marston and at Queens Drive have been out of action for a while.
"In order for us to be able to enforce the law on speed cameras everything needs to be in legal order. The signage has to be correct the layout has to be correct.
"These cameras are presently bagged up as we are unable to legally enforce things there. They will be back in operation soon."
The Adver learned of the situation after polling nearly 500 people on speed cameras in Swindon.
We asked if the town needed them and 52 per cent of those polled said no.
But the safety camera partnership said that its own survey, done across the whole of Wiltshire, found that 87 per cent of people backed the continued use of cameras.
Coun Greenhalgh said he was not surprised by the results of the poll.
He said: "It all depends on the question you ask - I think if you asked the question - are speed cameras used appropriately - you might not have got the same response.
"I don't think anyone would complain about a speed camera being placed in an accident blackspot.
"But that is very different from a van parked by the side of the road catching people who may be slightly over the speed limit but not causing a danger."
Your Say YourSwindon
Frontier(s), says...
3:21pm Fri 16 May 08
But the safety camera partnership said that its own survey, done across the whole of Wiltshire, found that 87 per cent of people backed the continued use of cameras.
Who did they ask, their Mums?
What absolute nonsense.
If the speed camera partnership are honestly claiming that just 13% of people don't want speed cameras then I'm afraid it proves they're happy to tell lies.
That being the case, their other lie, about speed cameras not being there solely to raise revenue, also becomes much more apparent.
Frontier(s), says...
3:30pm Fri 16 May 08
In reality, excess/illegal speed is a contributary factor in a very small percenage of all road traffic accidents (just 5% in fact).
The problem is that the powers that be can record speed easily, so it can be linked to fines very easily.
All they are interested in is the money they make.
You don't agree? Well, consider this, if speed cameras worked, they wouldn't raise any money.
So how come speed ticket revenues have risen dramatically, year on year, since speed cameras were installed en masse after 1999 when the speed camera partnerships were set up by Labour?
The reason is because people keep speeding (which, statistically, is quite safe) and the cameras keep on issuing fines. So, the government are quite happy to keep things as they are: speeding doesn't actually cause many accidents yet they make MILLIONS from it.
Kerching.
dalekdave, Swindon says...
4:42pm Fri 16 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:ABsolutely right. Flawless logic, well said!
Also, these debates actually play into the hands of the speed camera partnerships because it keeps 'speed' at the top of the agenda. In reality, excess/illegal speed is a contributary factor in a very small percenage of all road traffic accidents (just 5% in fact). The problem is that the powers that be can record speed easily, so it can be linked to fines very easily. All they are interested in is the money they make. You don't agree? Well, consider this, if speed cameras worked, they wouldn't raise any money. So how come speed ticket revenues have risen dramatically, year on year, since speed cameras were installed en masse after 1999 when the speed camera partnerships were set up by Labour? The reason is because people keep speeding (which, statistically, is quite safe) and the cameras keep on issuing fines. So, the government are quite happy to keep things as they are: speeding doesn't actually cause many accidents yet they make MILLIONS from it. Kerching.
Liz, swindon says...
4:42pm Fri 16 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
5:11pm Fri 16 May 08
She also said cameras were positioned at accident blackspots to improve road safety, not make money.
Since when has the stretch of dual carriageway, between the Hawksworth and Bruce Street Bidges roundabouts, been an accident blackspot??
Don't make Money???
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha
Jacko, swindon area says...
5:22pm Fri 16 May 08
Every day piles of smashed up cars, bodies all over he road.
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
5:50pm Fri 16 May 08
Have you all notice the masive increase in accidents on Queens Drive since the tax camera was de activated.
Every day piles of smashed up cars, bodies all over he road.
Ooh I know.
You can't move for them. sometimes there are so many, it blocks out the sunlight
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
5:52pm Fri 16 May 08
The criteria for these cameras is that in the previous 3 years there have been at least 3 fatals or 15 injury accidents at the location. When I looked up the Oxford Road ones, there had been .1 of an accident average. Far from meeting the criteria. When I wrote and pointed this out needless to say I didn't get a reply. Did you also know the Magistrates are told to always find someone guilty, as to not would put the whole system under the spot light. When I got caught at these lights, it was physically impossible for me to have gone through them at the time stated, as I had a time stamped CC receipt from Car Phone Warehouse which would have meant I had taken just 3 minutes at Lunch time to travel along Great Western way. Car Phone Warehouse very kindly did a check on their machine which showed the clock interface was accurate. The Sergeant at the CTO said it wouldn't matter I would be found guilty. Justice at it's best. Or if the issue is about safety this one.
To add a bit of sanity to speed cameras, I fail to understand if the object is road safety (we know it isn't but IF)the most effective signs appear to be those who flash 30 at your, instinctively you slow down until it goes out, job done. These could be used at 40 or 50. Or is that too simple. Frontier has also hit the nail on the head speed persey accounts for very few accidents, the method above would alleviate much of those.
kyoceran, swindon says...
10:25pm Fri 16 May 08
Chris Randall, Cayman Islands says...
4:52am Sat 17 May 08
John, Oxford says...
7:27am Sat 17 May 08
It's just as easy to drive safely at 100+ mph as it is to drive dangerously at 10mph.
If safety is the issue (Never was) then dangerous or careless drivers should be persued with a vengance. But then that involves manpower and real policework, and doesnt create revenue...
Donkey, Swindon says...
8:21am Sat 17 May 08
I don't understand why so many of the 'Hell Drivers' who write about wanting to drive at the speed which suits them rather than the laws of the land do not take up motor racing on circuits to remove their frustrations and leave law abiding citizens to go about their business at a more sensible rate of knots for our tiny little islands roads?
Why produce vehicles which can move at twice the maximum speed limits and more? These are RACING CARS and should be on a track, all going one way!
Also, speed limits on RESIDENTIAL ROADS should be adhered to for the sake of, not only the road users, but those who are resident along these routes. Not everyone can live in a 20MPH cul-de-sac, you know ... selfish I call it!
Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon says...
8:26am Sat 17 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
8:59am Sat 17 May 08
Donkey wrote:
tiny little islands roads?
Are they smaller than the roads anywhere else then?
Donkey wrote:
Sadly, not true ... SPEED KILLS and over seventy MPH should be left to the racetrack!
That's it, ignore the actual reality and the actual figures about road accidents.
Donkey, even in fatalities, 90% of all road deaths occur when the driver is driving less than the prevailing speed limit!
Without wishing to appear too flippant about a serious subject, it is statistically much safer to drive above the speed limit at all times.
By the way, if you genuinely never drive at more than 70mph and use UK motorways you are a very, very dangerous driver who is highly likely to cause more accidents than you believe you're avoiding.
Frontier(s), says...
9:02am Sat 17 May 08
Just to add, I have never once received any kind of speeding ticket - so there's not bad feeling here, I just wish to see road safety tackled in an adult and beneficial manner.
The handing out of millions of automated tickets to people who've caused no accidents and who've not driven dangerously is NOT the way to save lives.
Jacko, swindon area says...
10:18am Sat 17 May 08
Frontier(s) wrote:Absolutly right frontier.
Until we get over this SPEED KILLS nonsense, our roads will never get safer. Just to add, I have never once received any kind of speeding ticket - so there's not bad feeling here, I just wish to see road safety tackled in an adult and beneficial manner. The handing out of millions of automated tickets to people who've caused no accidents and who've not driven dangerously is NOT the way to save lives.
Have you also noticed that the council has started to put down all this anti skid. Especially on Drove Rd.
This is because it fails to maintain the roads properly. The road suface getts polished and in the wet it,s an ice rink. Then cars skid and children get killed. But it,s not speed that killed him it,s the badly maintained road surface.
Jacko, swindon area says...
10:25am Sat 17 May 08
Jacko wrote:And if you dont agree, ask your self this. WHY DID THE COUNCIL RESUFACE THAT PART ONLY, JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THE FATALITY. BECAUSE IT KNEW IT WAS IN DEEP S**T
Frontier(s) wrote: Until we get over this SPEED KILLS nonsense, our roads will never get safer. Just to add, I have never once received any kind of speeding ticket - so there's not bad feeling here, I just wish to see road safety tackled in an adult and beneficial manner. The handing out of millions of automated tickets to people who've caused no accidents and who've not driven dangerously is NOT the way to save lives.Absolutly right frontier. Have you also noticed that the council has started to put down all this anti skid. Especially on Drove Rd. This is because it fails to maintain the roads properly. The road suface getts polished and in the wet it,s an ice rink. Then cars skid and children get killed. But it,s not speed that killed him it,s the badly maintained road surface.
Jacko, swindon area says...
10:52am Sat 17 May 08
http://pepipoo.com/
Jacko, swindon area says...
10:53am Sat 17 May 08
http://pepipoo.com/
Frontier(s), says...
10:54am Sat 17 May 08
Unfortunately, it takes your eye-line in the exact opposite direction of where you should be looking if driving safely!
This is another huge problem with our roads. For a number of years now, highways and planners have fallen for a flawed concpet of deliberately making roads more dangerous in order to slow people down.
One of their usual tricks is to block the driver's view to the right as you approach a roundabout or junction - the idea being that you have to come to a standstill before entering the roundabout/junction.
This creates accidents by removing driver's awareness of their surroundings yet does not slow people down properly because everyone knows that it's pointless (and dangerous) to stop at the entrance to a roundabout if there is clearly no traffic approaching from the right.
So, because speed has been demonised as almost the sole cause of accidents (when it's only a factor in just 5% of all road accidents) they have created far more accidents and danger by using what should be illegal methods of speed control.
These people are costing other people's lives, yet nothing is done about it. It really is nothing short of a scandal.
Tony Hillier, Old Walcot says...
12:40pm Sat 17 May 08
Guess what topic for this week :
Radio Debate this Tuesday 20 May 6-7
SPEED CAMERAS
get the full picture
vox-pop
or pre-recorded phone calls beforehand.
listen in and respond to studio guests
(Councillors and Safety Partnership invited)
apply to be a studio guest
http://www.community
radioswindon.com/
phone studio with your views : 01793 611555
Tony, programme presenter 105.5 fm
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
3:12pm Sat 17 May 08
Tell 'em Big Fore FroMac 'n' Tier(s)
Frontier(s), says...
6:23pm Sat 17 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor wrote:You really are the most boring person in the world.
It's all Labours fault! Tell 'em Big Fore FroMac 'n' Tier(s)
Please, let's have more silly puns on developer's names - it was, believe it or not, slightly more intelligent.
You really are too stupid to realise that most things in this country are, ultimately, the fault of a tired government that's had 11 years to ruin everything - aren't you?
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
2:00am Sun 18 May 08
You really are the most boring person in the world.
Pot Kettle, Kettle Pot.
Do you think people get excited every time you turn everything around to have a pop at Labour?
I only write on here because Labour made me do it.
Now my shoe lace has come undone. Oooh that pesky Labour must have done it. Everything was perfect before Labour.
Labour Labour Labour Labour. I blame Labout as well
Jacko, swindon area says...
9:51am Sun 18 May 08
Tony Hillier wrote:No doubt this will be the public consultation bit and then they,ll say thats what the people want.
Guess what topic for this week : Radio Debate this Tuesday 20 May 6-7 SPEED CAMERAS get the full picture vox-pop or pre-recorded phone calls beforehand. listen in and respond to studio guests (Councillors and Safety Partnership invited) apply to be a studio guest http://www.community radioswindon.com/ phone studio with your views : 01793 611555 Tony, programme presenter 105.5 fm
Butt he pensioners who dont drive and the idiots from the Tax Camera wil hog the microphone thereby not allowing propper debate.
I town in Holland removed all traffic lights, roundabouts, and road signs.
Result, No accidents or fatalities in the town. the reason was because everyone was useing the roads safely anyway.
What a good idea, but the councill dont want any good ideas comeing up unless its theirs.
Like why do we have severral streets with bu lanes and no busses use them any more. CAN WE HAVE THEM BACK.
Frontier(s), says...
10:23am Sun 18 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor wrote:Do you think writing the same 'joke' over and over and over again is remotely amusing or clever?
You really are the most boring person in the world.Pot Kettle, Kettle Pot. Do you think people get excited every time you turn everything around to have a pop at Labour? I only write on here because Labour made me do it. Now my shoe lace has come undone. Oooh that pesky Labour must have done it. Everything was perfect before Labour. Labour Labour Labour Labour. I blame Labout as well
Frontier(s), says...
10:58am Sun 18 May 08
Like why do we have severral streets with bu lanes and no busses use them any more. CAN WE HAVE THEM BACK.
Well said Jacko. As with the M4 bus lane - all the bus lanes around Swindon do is create needless congestion so that one bus every 30 minutes can run down them and then have to pull back into the congestion at the end in any case.
A bad idea that would be wise to revoke.
Dick-Turpin, Swindon says...
12:09pm Sun 18 May 08
Jacko, swindon area says...
3:11pm Sun 18 May 08
Dick-Turpin wrote:Because this debate was headed tax cameras. So why would want to blame labour, who,s fault it is anyway.:)
Why do we spend all our time blaming speed cameras, the government etc on this site - if you speed and subsequently get caught it's your responsibility! Periodic re-testing or driver assessments could highlight potential problems with your driving and can help you re-evaulate the way you drive, this won't help all drivers as some are beyond help but for the majority it will certainly re-educate them. Persistent high risk errors in these assesments could lead to retests and if your driving standard is that bad you deserve to have your license revoked!
Jacko, swindon area says...
3:16pm Sun 18 May 08
I think youll find thats 1 bus every week and it has 1.5 passengers.
Talking of which. WHY do we the over burdend rate payers have to subsidise a bus company.
I dont ever travel on them and as their drivers are an arsey loadda idiots without any thought for othe rroad users. I personlly would like to see them removed all together. Allong with the TAX cameras
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
10:38pm Sun 18 May 08
Do you think writing the same 'joke' over and over and over again is remotely amusing or clever?
No, not in the slightest.
Do you think that turning absolutely every post into anti Labour propoganda regardless of the topic (Mechanics' Institute post for example) is clever?
If you do then that would be Labours' fault.
I blame Labour for the dampness that water causes.
My lawn needs cutting again. Flipping Labours fault that is.
doug@homefarm, SN1 says...
8:46am Mon 19 May 08
Frontier(s), says...
10:16am Mon 19 May 08
I Too Could Be a Councillor wrote:You're still too intent on writing your banal jokes to have realised that it's the government who run the country. The current one has been in power for 11 years.
Four Front Ears WroteDo you think writing the same 'joke' over and over and over again is remotely amusing or clever?No, not in the slightest. Do you think that turning absolutely every post into anti Labour propoganda regardless of the topic (Mechanics' Institute post for example) is clever? If you do then that would be Labours' fault. I blame Labour for the dampness that water causes. My lawn needs cutting again. Flipping Labours fault that is.
Please, Mr Humourous, inform us who you think is ultimately to blame for how the country is run.
You're quite clever though, passing off all the entirely correct blame for most things as 'a broken record'.
Well, I only wish it didn't have to be that way. Get something right, for as change, and I'll be the first to give credit where it's due.
BTW, you seem to have stopped ending every post with 'if I can find somewhere to park'.
That was another of your gems.
Frontier(s), says...
10:19am Mon 19 May 08
Jason, says...
5:18pm Mon 19 May 08
Hope it gets better soon ;-)
I Too Could Be a Councillor, Swindon says...
10:56pm Mon 19 May 08
Please, Mr Humourous, inform us who you think is ultimately to blame for how the country is run.
Why should I?
This forum is discussing the pros and cons of speed cameras, and wether or not they should have a future.
If you want opinions, of who should run the country, try going to the correct forum.
Tou obviously don't know how to navigate properly
That,s Labours fault that is
Jason, says...
11:29pm Tue 20 May 08
The same goes for the forum about The Mechanics.
All Big Ears ever does is turn every topic into a Labour rant.
Then he condemns any repeat comments from others.
A true hypercritical bore.
Shall we go off and blame Labour for the next wet weekend?
Your sayYourSwindon
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csb, Swindon says...
2:51pm Fri 16 May 08