Proposals to trial speed cameras in seven locations across the county will be discussed next week (10 March).
The county council’s ruling cabinet will consider the introduction of cameras in four villages and on three key main and rural routes which have various issues and concerns around speeding and safety, says a report.
We’re very aware there are communities whose lives are being blighted by the daily effects of speeding motorists. We believe average speed cameras could be a digital solution towards addressing these concerns. However, testing their effectiveness in various situations is vital and these trials will help us with some exploratory work we’re doing around the wider use of cameras.
Person:Council leader, Councillor Nick Rushton
The areas chosen for the trials are:
• The villages of Sharnford, Woodhouse Eaves, Measham and Walcote, which have long-standing community concerns over speeding;
• The B676 Melton to its county boundary with Lincolnshire, which has a higher accident rate than the national average for the type of road;
• The A6 Harborough Road at Oadby;
• The A50 Field Head to its boundary with the city of Leicester.
The report says the A6 and A50 are key routes with high numbers of speeding vehicles.
Subject to cabinet approval, the trials will start in the autumn and will cost in the region of £500,000 to introduce, with the funding coming from underspends. The findings will then be reported back to a later meeting of the cabinet.
The authority would then be looking to potentially widen out the camera programme, should the proposed approach receive Government support.
The council has asked the Government to consider allowing cameras to be funded through driver education workshops and speeding fines - income which is currently retained in full by the Department of Transport.
Cabinet will consider the report when it meets at 11am on Friday, 10 March. The meeting will be webcast, live, at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/webcast and a recording available from the following day.