Mayor Dave Hodgson is making progress on his plans to slam the brakes on reckless driving by installing 15 sets of new average speed cameras across Bedford Borough this year.
The average speed cameras are being installed in speeding hot spots across Bedford, Kempston, Wilstead, Wixams, Wymington and on the A6. The Council has also secured funding for average speed cameras from the developer of a new housing estate on Cleat Hill in Bedford.
These 15 sites will add to the other 31 locations across the Borough where average speed cameras have already been installed.
In addition to the current plans, Bedford Borough Council has identified more than70 sites across the local area that meet the criteria for installing average speed cameras.
Average speed cameras are an incredibly effective way of discouraging drivers from both speeding and from having accidents on the road. In fact, research from the RAC Foundation has suggested that the number of fatal and serious collisions decrease by up to 36% following the introduction of average speed cameras.
Surprisingly, although they are responsible for installing and maintaining average speed cameras, Bedford Borough Council does not get to keep the fines collected from road users who are caught speeding.
Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said, “Average speed cameras are hugely useful for stopping reckless drivers from putting pedestrians, other road users and themselves at risk. I’ve talked to lots of residents who are concerned about rising road speeds and we want to reassure them that we’re delivering programmes that will lead to meaningful change.
“I’d also call on the government to review their stance on taking the income generated through fines away from local communities. Leaving this funding in the hands of councils means allows us to invest more into traffic calming measures that help us to keep people safe.”
If you’d like to find out more about local traffic safety measures, please visit the Bedford Borough Council website www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/road-safety/traffic-calming
