Town votes to ditch speed cameras

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The nine-strong cabinet of the Tory-run council voted unanimously in favour of withdrawing from the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership.

The idea of withdrawing was first suggested 12 months ago by Peter Greenhalgh, councillor for highways in Swindon.

This came after a change to the way fixed-point cameras were funded. Mr Greenhalgh objected to central Government receiving the cash from fines while Swindon Council had to pay for the upkeep of the cameras.

Speaking after the vote, he said: "I understand we are the first council in Britain to get rid of fixed-point speed cameras."

Just because there will be no more fixed-point speed traps in the town does not mean motorists cannot be caught, he said. Police will still be out and about with hand-held speed-measuring devices.

Mr Greenhalgh added: "We will be working very closely with our partners, including police in the road safety partnership to deliver a plan that reduced the number of people being killed on the roads in Swindon."

He said that in 2007/08 70 people had been killed on the streets of Swindon and that this was proof that fixed-point speed cameras were not working to curb motorists' excessive speed.

He said that alternative speed-reducing measures were being considered by the council now, including education and training for motorists and reduced speed limits in problem areas.

This news will be celebrated by motorists across the land, chief among them Jeremy Clarkson, presenter of BBC's Top Gear who has in the past voiced heart-felt support for Mr Greenhalgh on his programme.