7:10am Tuesday 21st October 2008
By Matthew Pardo
MOBILE speed patrols could still snap Swindon speeders in the act – even if councillors ban fixed position cameras from the town.
Debate has raged in Swindon over the future of speed cameras for almost a year.
Tomorrow councillors on Swindon Council’s cabinet will make a final decision on withdrawing from the safety camera partnership – a move which would see the end of static speed cameras in the town.
Despite that, the police officer charged with overseeing the partnership says even if the council backs that suggestion, mobile cameras could still be used here.
Acting Inspector Nick Blencowe, of the safety camera partnership, said: “Although I could not take a decision in isolation about where and when we enforce speed limits with mobile patrols, the Road Safety Board could.
“But if Swindon withdrew from both the partnership and the board the only people funding it would be Wiltshire County Council. And those who pay for the service decide where the cameras will be used.”
The safety camera partnership is funded jointly by Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Council and has been for years.
Last November two Swindon councillors floated a suggestion that unless Government agreed to return the cash generated by cameras to the borough the council would consider dropping out of the partnership – meaning an end to speed cameras in Swindon.
The council backed the plan and, since the Government said in January it would not return the money, officers have been looking at the next step the council can take.
A spokesman for the county council, said: “Once Swindon Borough Council has made a decision we will discuss the situation with our road safety partners. Until then it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.”
Until late today readers can vote online or via the paper to give their opinion on the speed camera debate.
The results of the poll will be published tomorrow in the run up to the cabinet meeting at 6.15pm, at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street.
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