Tory war on speed cameras

David Ottewell

October 06, 2009

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers

THE TORIES today declared war on speed cameras as part of a package of measures aimed at hard-pressed motorists.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said a Conservative government would refuse to fund any new fixed cameras - and would block councils from doing so unless they could prove they were better than other road-safety policies.

"Labour's army of speed cameras is not the best way to make our roads safe," she said. "We will switch to alternative, better, ways to improve road safety.

"Labour's dependence on fixed speed cameras has blinded them to the effectiveness of the alternatives. It is time say enough is enough on fixed speed cameras - we have reached the high water mark.

"A Conservative government would not fund any new fixed speed cameras."

Targeted

The Tories say they want to see more use of 'vehicle-activated signs', which flash up a warning to slow down rather than issuing a fine, instead of cameras.

They said so-called VASs are more successful in keeping motorists safe - quoting Department for Transport figures that show they prevent 3.1 accidents per year compared to cameras' 2.2.

Greater Manchester has 156 cameras - the fifth highest in the country. Some 61 people were killed and 782 seriously injured on the county's roads last year.

Ms Villiers said she would also ensure the use of the new-style average-speed cameras would be 'limited and targeted' on major roads and motorways - and then only when there were roadworks or some other valid reason for installing them.

The Conservatives also revealed they wanted councils to publish 'set, clear criteria' for the siting and phasing of traffic lights. And they will increase the maximum fines for companies who over-run the time set aside for digging up roads.

Code

Rogue clampers will be targeted with a new code of conduct covering penalties, release fees and conditions for towing. Bonuses linked to the number of cars clamped would be banned.

Ms Villiers said: "Under Labour getting around has become a daily grind. If it is not endless traffic caused by road works where no one is working, it is the rogue clampers who use extortion and intimidation to extract huge fines.

"A Conservative government will focus on tackling the congestion that is costing the economy billions, and the resulting hassle that has made travelling in the UK so grim. We will empower road users with the information they need to understand and influence the decisions which affect their daily commute."

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tiggerluc, somewhere in shaw (06/10/2009 at 08:07)

Good I am glad something is being done about the explosion of speed cameras. I am all for cameras in accident blackspots to catch speeders. I thought these devices were installed after- tragically- death has occured. But they (cameras) see to be put up here there and everywhere. Yes, drivers if caught speeding deserve everything they get. But I feel these devices are seen as a money making machine - a cash cow if you will.
It's time the use of these are looked at in a calm rational manner and discussed.

Ron, Gorton (06/10/2009 at 08:15)

Cameras do have their place but you can't just put up cameras and think 'that;s the roads sorted'. You need the police on them, especially on the motorways. You never see them which is why people drive like they do.

The probelm with speed cameras as well is that they are designed to catch you out rather than prevent you from speeding, especially when they were hidden away and didn't have the luminous yellow painteed on. So if somebody was speeding all the time is it better that after three weeks they get a fine but may have killed somebody in the meantime or is it better that they were stopped by a policeman or saw the camera so slowed down for that two weeks.

Personally I was caught by a camera but only found out weeks later. Once I was caught by a police man and was given a stern talking to. That worked better and I slowed for many months after my ticking off. More effective than a ticket in the post.

Councils now control our roads anyway, not the police. This is something that the conservatives should do away with. Two smart cars with cctv and cctv cameras on lamp posts si nowhere near as good as the police enforcing the law.

Hospital acquired infections kill three times as many people as those killed on roads so why not spend the money on that?

Chris R, Irlam (06/10/2009 at 08:42)

All sounds good to me - why would any road user want to vote for motorist-hating Labour instead?

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (06/10/2009 at 08:44)

I don't object to speed cameras, just stop putting them near the bottom of downhill stretches, where there is a likelihood that someone may accidentally go over the limit e.g. St Peters Way, Bolton. It's got to the point now that whenever I go downhill, I expect to see one there. Also, is there really a need for a set of overhead cameras on the M60 Stockport on the straight section just yards before the national speed limit sign.

As I said I don't object to them in general but Labour has stategically placed them, not to cut down accidents but to increase revenue.

Jay B, oldham (06/10/2009 at 08:48)

again common sense!! speed cameras are the lazy way to catch speeding motorists. all they're really used for is generating revenue!
proper police and alot more of them are whats needed.

the tories are currently ticking all the right boxes. as long as they see them through though!

Almighty God, Salford (06/10/2009 at 09:27)

hmm, they never mentioned getting rid of the cameras that are already there, so its probably all just lies

Knowsleyman, Paphos (06/10/2009 at 09:36)

I do not live in England any longer, but have been back for a 4 week holiday.

Driving round I have had difficulty in coming to terms with the number of the cameras. On some roads they have been every couple of hundred yards.

The one thing I have no doubt about though is that they work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very few people exceeded the 30 mph limit and that, in busy towns, can not be a bad thing.

Voter (06/10/2009 at 10:01)

All these Tory brainwaves about fewer speed-cameras, moving the reitirement age to ninety, or whatever, will be of no use if we are bound by the Lisbon Treaty; the unelected of Brussels will decide. Therefore, Dave of Notting Hill must not think he can change the subject: the Tories promises us a referendum, please might we respectfully ask them to keep their promise?

palomablanca, manchester (06/10/2009 at 10:24)

The Tories have not held a conference in Manchester for nigh on a century, Yet they still expect us to fall for these "Gimmick" vote incentives, This along with the "Get the scroungers back to work" rant appeal to base mentality, Whilst not addressing the true affliction ie: Big business avoiding taxes, MPs expense accounts & self voted pay rises, Excuse me if I don't tug my forelock & doff my cap as I bid my leave

Local lad, outsidethebox (06/10/2009 at 10:34)

What a outright pandering to voters,Ive never heard of so much garbage from a political party,you have to read what shes saying .Shes saying tories will not change anything really exept,stop wasting anymore money on speed cameras.

hjk (06/10/2009 at 10:44)

In other words the Tories are going to do nothing about the speed cameras we already have so we are stuck with them. As Mancheser and surrounding areas have more than enough it would be highly unlikely they would be asked to fund new ones anyway.

davefb, bolton (06/10/2009 at 10:46)

Why are conservatives complaining about conservative policies ? Road works where no-one is working? It's a real gripe for drivers, but are these on the increase I recall it being a big issue back in the days of john majors government and his 'cone hotline' wasn't that recently dropped because nobody was phoning it ?
Increasing fines for companies , I'm guessing in the next breath they'll be complaining about expensive red-tape..

Free Red, Manchester (06/10/2009 at 11:24)

"Labour's army of speed cameras is not the best way to make our roads safe," she said. "We will switch to alternative, better, ways to improve road safety."

Like what? more speed ramps? and the damage that they do to your car!! I would rather pay a fine

Brook Lands (06/10/2009 at 11:35)

There's a very easy way to not be "got" by a speed camera.

Obey the speed limits. This is a gimmick.

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (06/10/2009 at 11:49)

The flashing signs are a better idea than faceless robotic cashcow speed cameras penalising people.

Maynard Kitchener Lampwick. Manchester., (06/10/2009 at 12:11)

The Torys are doing anything to get votes, even visiting Manchester, they will change if they get in power, don't be fooled by a Tacky Tory Government...

arthur sixpence, wythenshawe (06/10/2009 at 12:27)

is this the best that "lord snooty and his pals " can come up with ? less speed cameras and (as cameron was speaking about on the radio this morning) bringing back fox hunting with dogs- as they have no real policies of their own , why not offer a 50 quid M & S or Tesco voucher for everyone who votes for them ! this current labour government has a lot to answer for but if the tories do win the next election (which seems highly likely ) things can only get a lot worse .

Deejay, Bury (06/10/2009 at 12:36)

It's a good headline grabber - but really won't change much. In the 297 miles from my doorstep in Manchester to Dover - there are over 70 speed cameras at different points on the journey. This doesn't include the ones that appear with roadworks and the police handheld ones. I rarely achieve the speed limit in that journey.

For the 437 miles from Calais to the house where some friends live in France, there are a grand total of 7 - as they've put a new one in recently. Yet I can achieve the 130km p/h speed limit (about 80mph) easily.

PW, Manchester (06/10/2009 at 12:40)

It's a tricky subject, as we clearly don't want measures that will encourage increased car usage. But the present damning-up of the roads is hindering commerce, costing millions in lost time through lateness, and unnecessary polluting fuel consumption. Most motorists realise that speed cameras are mainly revenue generators. They don't deter the real speed culprits who have unregistered vehicles and no tax or insurance.

By necessity, I use the bus for work, and that can be soul-destroying as buses get trapped in the deliberate jams caused by bad traffic-light sequencing and obstacles. Bus companions can be soul-destroying as well. It needs an overhaul by someone who doesn't pretend they are trying to protect the environment, while at the same time helping to destroy it.

ebble, manchester (06/10/2009 at 12:52)

On its own this irresponsible policy is not enough to stop me voting Tory but I'm not pleased about it. My cycle to work has become much safer since speed cameras were introduced on the A56 about 10 years ago. I used to get cut up by speeding cars every day. As soon as the cameras arrived things improved as most drivers realised that they might as well trundle at 30mph between cameras.

Speeding is a crime. If the Tories go soft on other crimes they won't be worth voting for.

A Realist, Manchester (06/10/2009 at 13:13)

I was wavering but now I'm voting for them.

Theowolfe (06/10/2009 at 14:00)

If they commit to stopping the closure of roads, removal of bus stops jutting into the middle of the road, get rid of pinch points and re-phase the congestion causing lights then they will get my vote as well.

Persepolis Young (06/10/2009 at 15:11)

I think speed cameras are great, if anything we need more of them....6 cameras to every man, woman and beast

The foreigner (06/10/2009 at 15:27)

Seems to me, as a non-resident, that the average Englishman (certainly the wealthier who have access to the internet) would consider voting for a political party on the basis of who places less cameras, to be somewhat dumb.

You have a crime problem from both scummy youngsters and immigrants. An education system that leaves lots to be desired (probably the root cause of scummy youngsters), a NHI that could do with a lot of work and a socialist system that encourages people not to work because government throws money at them.

You have a justice system that appears to bend over backwards to not send people to prison when society would be well rid of them.

Aren't these the issues that you all want addressed? And isn't the political party who would actively and aggressively deal with these issues the party you would support?

No, I guess not. Is this because your own child is doing drugs? Is it you who are not averse to buying something that fell off the back of a lorry? Is it your son doing 'youth correction' (or whatever it's termed) instead of being in prison where he belongs?

In fact, do you really want any of these changes? They might just come a little too close to home, hey? Is it easier, and better, to accept the status quo and then shout from the sidelines about how useless police and the courts have become.

Does the intellectual capacity necessary in choosing a new government really revolve around speed-trap cameras?

Sparky was the best ever (06/10/2009 at 15:38)

I've never thought speed cameras did anything other than make roads less safe.

Instinctively, you spot a camera and brake, regardless of whether you're speeding or not. This could cause accidents as the driver behind doesn't see it and hits you as he had no indication there was cause for you to brake.

Stupid money generating accident machines That are useless at preventing what really causes accidents: Careless and reckless driving. But of course, you can't measure someone weaving through traffic on a mobile phone.

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