A move to boost road safety in Bedford Borough through the installation of new average speed cameras is ‘long overdue’ according to Conservative Cllr Gianni Carofano.
Funding for average speed cameras was cut by Bedford Borough Council in 2016 but it was announced this week that a one-off sum of £525k is to be made available to purchase new sets.
Cllr Carofano backed a proposal from the Council’s Conservative Group in July last year to reinstate speed cameras which was turned down by the Mayor’s administration. The new funding, from a forecast underspend of £1.7m on the Council's budget for 2017/18, is set to be confirmed at a meeting of all councillors at the end of February
Cllr Carofano said:
‘As councillors, we are bombarded with pleas from residents to do something about speeding and dangerous rat running. There are around 60 average speed camera schemes on the waiting list which shows the effectiveness of the initiative throughout the Borough before it ended in 2016.
‘There were those who thought it was fine to race each other down the Embankment at 60mph until average speed cameras were installed. Milton Ernest and Oakley also show that speed cameras can be effective in protecting communities and other villages should now be prioritised for funding.
‘The money from speed camera fines does not go to the Council and I could not care less if they did not raise a single penny because that will mean they have done their job in areas where the public walk next to the road and outside our schools.
‘The reinstatement of average speed cameras is long overdue and should be a regular commitment from the Council.’