'Speed' cameras return 15 years after being switched off

New Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are set to be installed, 15 years after a town scrapped its speed cameras.

Swindon Borough Council was the first authority in England to switch off all its fixed speed cameras, claiming they did not lower the number of accidents on roads.

Now in a bid to identify speeding drivers, ANPR devices are being trialled at five locations.

Councillor Chris Watts said: "While these first cameras are only a trial, I'm hopeful it will be a success, and we can bring more to the borough to make sure we catch those that flaunt the speed limits."

In 2009, the town dismantled its speed cameras after the council concluded they were ineffective in reducing road traffic accidents, stating that only 6% of incidents were attributed to speeding.

Now, in a bid to make roads safer, the authority is installing five cameras at Okus Road, Akers Way, Grange Drive, Croft Road and Homington Avenue.

As part of the pilot scheme, any driver caught speeding could be sent a warning letter and have their details shared with police.

A council spokesperson said the devices are not technically speed cameras as they do not automatically give out punishments.

But "should the police wish to take action" then that could result in "fines or further punishment", the spokesperson added.

Watts said although the town's roads have fewer serious injury incidents than the national average, the council is "committed to making local roads safer".

"One of the best ways to do that is to make sure people know their speed is being watched," he said.

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