Speed cameras return to Birmingham and Solihull as part of new trial
SPEED cameras are making a return to Birmingham and Solihull as part of a new trial by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner in collaboration with various local authorities.
The new Average Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras are being trialled in eight locations under a partnership comprising the WMPCC, West Midlands Police, Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
The various parties have decided to adopt a system using average speed cameras because they said historically, compliance with speed limits was far better than with mobile or fixed-point cameras.
The routes have been chosen based on the accident history of the area, speed surveys and an incapacity to install traffic calming measures.
The new cameras detect vehicles through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and calculate their average speed by measuring the time taken to travel between defined points of a known distance apart.
The partnership has told drivers that a clear signing strategy will be implemented to tell motorists when they are entering an average speed control zone.
Superintendent Kerry Blakeman, from West Midlands Police, said: “Our intention is for people to adhere to the speed limit. Those who exceed the limit will have to attend a speed awareness course where they will be educated about the dangers of speeding or face either an appearance at court or a fine and points on their licence.
“We hope that the presence of these highly visible cameras will ensure that road users comply with the set limits on roads in Birmingham and Solihull.”
Latest figures show that in the years 2010-2014, there were 2,356 people killed or seriously injured in Birmingham and Solihull, an average of 471.2 per year.
Cllr Stewart Stacey, BCC’s cabinet member for Transport and Roads, said the scheme was not a cash cow for the various parties involved.
“I want a clear message to be heard by the region’s motorists – I’m not Bob Geldof, I don’t want you to ‘Give us your money’ – I just want you to comply with the speed limits that are there to improve safety for everyone who uses the roads of Birmingham and Solihull,” he said.
The cameras will be operational for a term of five years. There will be an initial 21-month evaluation phase to assess the effectiveness of the equipment and the overall system.
The camera locations are:
Birmingham
• A38 Bristol Road between Priory Road and Speedwell Road – 30mph
• A456 Hagley Road between Portland Road and Lordswood Road – 30mph
• A4540 New John Street between Lucas Circus and Hospital Street – 30mph
• A34 Newtown Row Northbound between New John Street West and Newbury Road – 30mph
• A45 Coventry Road between Berkeley Road and Rowland Road/Steyning Road – 40mph
Solihull
• B425 Lode Lane between Henley Crescent and Moat Lane – 30mph
• B4114 Bradford Road / Chester Road, close to the junction – 30mph
• A3400 Stratford Road, Hockley Heath – 30mph
