Council considers axing speed cameras

Speed cameras could be scrapped by a Conservative-ruled local authority.Swindon Borough Council is reviewing its involvement with the local safety camera partnership scheme and considering whether to spend its £400,000-a-year contribution elsewhere.Leader, Councillor Roderick Bluh, said a full paper is due to be presented to Cabinet, which will consider the options for road safety spending. A decision will be made by September.Mr Bluh said: "We are not going to compromise safety, but we are taking the opportunity to review how we utilise the money. We have not made a decision yet."A huge amount of money is being raised by speed cameras and we are seeking better ways of ensuring road safety without penalising motorists."It is believed to be the first time that a council in the UK has challenged the Government over the issue.The Conservative-run council is considering withdrawing from the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership after a shake-up of speed camera funding rules which mean the Treasury now keeps the proceeds of fines.The Government then makes road-safety grants to councils.Ministers argue this breaks the controversial link between cash and camera, which critics had argued gave the authorities a financial incentive to fine more motorists.Tory councillor Peter Greenhalgh, head of highways, transport and strategic planning for Swindon, reportedly said the moneyshould be spent on a range of local safety measures."These are far more effective that speed cameras which, I feel, are a blatant tax on the motorist," he said."They are being used as a cash cow. I do take exception to the positioning of some mobile speed cameras. They are designed to raise revenue."I think enough is enough. There are much more important things we as a council should do instead of acting as a law enforcement arm of this Government."But Labour MP Anne Snelgrove, parliamentary private secretary to Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, has accused council leaders of playing "politics with lives" and is calling on the council to drop the plans.

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ITN | July 15, 2008

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