05/11/08 - Speed Cameras

There has been a huge amount of press coverage on our plans to change the way we deal with road safety in Swindon. 

Headlines focused on the potential removal of speed cameras, catching the attention of the national media and predictably annoying Labour politicians fearful of their favourite stealth tax / cash machines being removed. In a nutshell the old system involved Swindon Council paying £320 000 per year towards the cost of speed cameras.  We have now decided that we will spend this money on our own choice of road safety, for example: flashing 30 mph signs, improving road layouts (in particular by schools), school crossings, educational programmes or even speed cameras if it is deemed the most suitable option.   

Whilst the out of touch Labour politicians whined about us pandering to 'Daily Mail readers & Top Gear viewers' (don't ever let it be said they are in touch with the public hey?!) the reality is a blanket speed camera approach has seen road accidents increase in recent years. We now have the flexability to deliver a localised, practical and common sense improvements to reverse this unacceptable trend.