Speed cameras are set to be bought by the Isle of Wight Council – to tackle concerns over fast cars and motorbikes.
The money raised would not go to the local authority but go back to the government’s central consolidated fund which is then used to fund Department for Transport grants.
As part of the upcoming 2021/22 budget, which could see a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax, the Conservative ruling party has proposed to spend £300,000 to introduce two sets of mobile average speed cameras to carry out more speed measuring enforcement.
With the announcement of motor racing events on the Island in the next few years, including the Diamond Races and the new Isle of Wight Road Races, concerns have been raised that more people will speed as a result.
At the start of last year, the few remaining speed cameras were removed, although the actual cameras inside had been switched off for several years. The yellow-box casing had been left in place to act as a deterrent.
According to a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police’s road traffic management team, there is now only one speed camera van on the Island, and the traffic policing team merged with the armed response unit, leaving less capability for the enforcement of speed limits.
A case has been made nationally for the government to once again separate the road policing force.
Average speed cameras measure how long it takes a vehicle to travel a set distance and if they exceed a set baseline, therefore speeding, the vehicle details are submitted for prosecution.
By introducing the mobile speed cameras, Cllr Dave Stewart, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said it gives the council the capability to deal with speeding although, under current policies, the money made from fines will not be given back to the authority.
Speaking at a meeting of the corporate scrutiny committee last night (Tuesday), he said:
“That is not the point — in my mind, it is to catch offenders who think it is OK to drive at excessive speeds and put residents at risk.”
A budget for the next financial year will be approved later this month.
By Louise Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
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