New speed cameras on 20mph road lead to 16,000 tickets in just seven months – but are branded a ‘cash cow for the council’ by campaigners
- One camera was responsible for 14,359 of the speeding tickets in Plymouth
- During a test period, more than 23,500 motorists were caught by the cameras
Speed cameras on a 20mph road have caught out 16,000 drivers in less than a year.
The devices were installed on Laira Road in Plymouth, Devon, but have been branded a ‘cash cow’ for the city council.
Campaigner Andy Gibbins is petitioning to have the first of three speed cameras removed, as it clocks anyone going over 20mph as they drive on to the B road.
The cameras detected more than 23,500 speeding motorists during a test period prior to activation, in the first 24 hours of which, 1,100 drivers were snapped going over the limit.
New speed cameras on a 20mph road have caught out 16,000 drivers in less than a year.
Average speed cameras have been introduced to Old Laira Road, Plymouth and extend the 20mph zone
A Freedom of Information Request sent to Devon and Cornwall Police by Plymouth Live showed that the three cameras have issued total of 16,198 tickets to drivers for exceeding the new 20mph limit.
The data was recorded over a seven-month period, from when the cameras were first made live on May 9 to December 30.
One camera was responsible for 14,359 tickets, another 1,171, and a third 668.
Mr Gibbins, who does not live in that part of the city and has not been caught out by them, said: ‘I was shocked that over 16,000 people had been caught.’
He wrote in a petition: ‘We have seen no evidence to suggest serious accidents along that stretch of road, suggesting this is nothing but a money making exercise.
Plymouth City Council say residents told them they did want not want traffic calming measures and instead wanted average speed cameras
‘Under the Freedom of Information Act it has shown to catch a total of 16,198 drivers who were either fined and received points or were sent on a Speed Awareness Course.
‘That equates to well over 1.25 million pounds in six months, at a time when we are sat in a cost of living crisis where people are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
‘Speed is not in anyway justified but this scheme, its cameras and the signage needs to be brought into question. Especially when over 90 percent of those on the speed awareness courses have been caught on this one section of road.’
He said the safety argument is a ‘futile excuse’ as there are various crossing points and zebra/pelican crossings along the arterial road.
Plymouth city councillor Jonathan Drean said: ‘This is what the residents asked for.’
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