AS councillors decide the future of speed cameras in Swindon they will also be faced with evidence of the rising numbers of deaths and accidents on the town’s roads.

Seventy-five people were killed or seriously injured on Swindon’s roads over the last year, against a target figure of 63. In 2006/07, the figure was 56 This has left Swindon Council’s promise 50 – “through better safety incentives on the roads we control, we will reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by 40 per cent” – in serious jeopardy.

The second part of promise 50 – to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured by 50 per cent – has already been completed.

The figures will be discussed at tonight’s cabinet meeting and is on the same agenda as plans for Swindon Council to withdraw from the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership, which operates speed cameras across Swindon.

Coun Peter Greenhalgh, lead member for highways, transport and strategic planning, has said that the money currently being spent on speed cameras could be used more effectively on other methods, including flashing signs and educational schemes.

PC Lisa Tucker, community beat manager for Stratton St Margaret, said it was a shame that the cameras could go but they were not the only method of ensuring safety on the town’s roads.

She said: “We want to reassure the public that road safety continues to be a priority for us and although the cameras may go we will still have measures to stop people speeding.

“I can appreciate why people don’t like speed cameras but they are there for a reason and extensive tests have shown that they do work. Speed cameras bring down people’s speed and anything that does that can’t be a bad thing.

“It is a shame but I can see why they are unpopular and if the council comes to this decision then we will still be working to keep people safe.

“Speed cameras aren’t the only way to go – we will be focusing on education and making people aware of the dangers on the roads.”

Debate over the future of speed cameras in Swindon began last year when the Government changed the way it allocated funds from speeding fines.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “The Government gives councils £110m each year for road safety which they can spend on whatever measures best suit their local problems. That could be anything from traffic calming to advertising campaigns or school crossing patrols.

“Safety cameras are there to save lives, not make money. To ensure that local partnerships have no incentive to try to raise money from cameras, fines are paid into a central fund rather than directly to those partnerships.

“In 2006/7 a total of £104m was paid in fines – and the Government invested £110m in road safety grants.”

The city that slowed to 20mph
PORTSMOUTH became the first city in Britain to have a 20mph safety limit on almost all residential roads in March.

The 20mph limit is for roads where the average speed is already 24mph or less, as would be the case in Swindon if the Halcrow Speed Limit Review recommendations are taken up.

Prominent 20mph signs have been displayed where drivers enter the new speed restrictions, as well as ‘repeater’ signs as reminders.

Coun Alex Bentley, Portsmouth’s executive member for environment and transportation, said: “On most of our residential roads, it’s not safe or appropriate to drive at more than 20mph, because they’re narrow and lined with parked cars.

“What we want to do is target the small number of drivers who drive at inappropriate speeds without regard for road safety or respect for anyone else.

“A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20mph is likely to suffer slight injuries, but at 30mph they are likely to be severely hurt. At 40mph or above they are likely to be killed.”