County focuses on speed cameras

Speed cameras could be coming to roadsides in York and North Yorkshire

Speed cameras could soon be at the roadside in York and North Yorkshire after a senior councillor backed their introduction to cut accidents.

Steve Galloway, a senior York councillor, has said he wants to see mobile cameras working both in the city and across the county.

Officials at North Yorkshire County Council are carrying out an study to see if the cameras would be effective.

Chief Constable Graham Maxwell, is considering their introduction.

North Yorkshire County Council's traffic management and road safety manager Allan McVeigh said the introduction of either fixed site or mobile cameras across the county was one of a number of options being considered.

Accident blackspots

"There is a toolbox of measures that we can use to improve road safety," he said.

"Clearly safety cameras are a tool in the box, and all we're doing is looking at the feasibility of whether that particular tool is appropriate for York and North Yorkshire."

And that study into the possible effectiveness of the cameras has been backed by Councillor Galloway, the City of York Council's executive member for city strategy.

"I asked chief constable over a year ago to look at whether there was a use for speed cameras - which had changed in flexibility and technology over the years - at known accident blackspots.

"He agreed to review the use of speed cameras."

Mr Galloway said the county's safety camera project had been asked to assess the practical aspects of introducing a system of cameras.

'Not a substitute'

"That's not just cost of mobile cameras, also issues of how evidence could be processed and the costs of any enforcements.

"We are waiting for that information to be processed."

Jo Abbott, from the RAC Foundation, which works to protect motorists' interests said the cameras were "not the only tool in the box".

"They are a blunt tool which can't detect people using mobile phones, drink-drivers or people on drugs.

"Having said that we have always accepted that speed cameras have got a part to play in ensuring safer roads.

"They are not a substitute for well-trained, well-equipped and properly resourced traffic police."