Council spends £285k on speed cameras

Cash-strapped Torbay splashes out to keep speeds down

The Teignbridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee earlier in the year gave approval for the principle of the installation of the cameras.Now Devon County Council have unanimously backed the plans. 

A report to the cabinet said that the average speed cameras will reduce traffic speeds and help enforce the 50mph speed limit between Edginswell and Penn Inn.

It added that proposals to install Average Speed Cameras on the A380 South Devon Highway were supported by Devon and Cornwall Police and the Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership, saying that enforcement would be beneficial in reducing the traffic speeds on the dual carriageway.

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, Local County Councillor for Kingskerswell, who has been calling for the cameras since the road opened in 2015, said that he was delighted that it had come before the committee and that he and his residents would really welcome this.

He said: “Obviously the new South Devon Highway is a road that affected the lives of hundreds of lives of people in South Devon for the better. But as you drive into County Hall, one cannot help notice the sign that says ‘Devon County Council, Improving Life for All’, and some people’s lives have been blighted since the new road opened as their houses are next to the road.

“The noise and pollution from the road is horrendous and it has a 50mph speed limit, but everyone ignores it. The main thing needed is the average speed cameras, but we also need improved signage as there are so many people driving at inappropriate speeds and causing accidents. I really welcome this and my residents really welcome this and looking for a good night’s sleep.

“It needs to be remembered why we have a 50mph speed limit on the road – it is for the amenity of those local residents.”

Cllr Gordon Hook added:” The sooner we get this the better, and I hope we can move on rapidly. They are a success around the country and the evidence is crystal clear that vehicles slow down and adhere to whatever is being asked of them by the cameras.

“It will also improve amenity for nearby residents. In the summer it has been a choice between deafening noise and the windows being open or living in a sauna, and that is not acceptable. We must do something and it must be enforced.”

The cabinet unanimously approved spending £285,000 with the capital costs to be met from the South Devon Highway capital scheme budget and the revenue costs from the highway revenue budget, on the new speed cameras.

Other alternative options had been considered, but Average Speed Cameras are considered to be the most efficient way in enforcing the 50mph speed limit along the South Devon Highway.

A Devon County Council spokesman said that it is hoped the average speed cameras would be in place by the end of the year.

THE LOCATIONS FOR THE FOUR AVERAGE SPEED CAMERAS

Site 1 – at the start of the 50mph enforcement zone, near Edginswell, to the south of Kingskerswell.

Site 2 – at the end of the 50mph speed limit zone, near Penn Inn, to the north of Kingskerswell.

Site 3 – before the junction with Penn Inn, to the north of Kingskerswell. This site is needed for the cameras to cover vehicles joining and leaving the South Devon Highway at this junction.

Site 4 – located to the south of the Kingskerswell junction. These cameras will cover vehicles exiting and joining the South Devon Highway from the south side of the junction.