Average speed cameras cut down by vandals will rise again soon vows councillor
The cameras will be back up soon Cllr Peter Williams has vowed (Image: Newsquest)
The average speed cameras cut down by vandals will rise again very soon says the councillor responsible for getting them installed – and this time they will be watched.
Cllr Peter Williams, Cornwall Council local member for Mylor, Perranarworthal and Ponsanooth, made the vow after visiting the site of the vandalism on the A39 at Stickenbridge.
Falmouth Packet: The actual cameras are said to be intact
The actual cameras are said to be intact (Image: Paul Armstrong)
This morning it was discovered that vandals had cut through[1] the base of the average speed cameras installed on the A39 near the Norway Inn and Stickenbridge.
See our live report on the Packet Facebook page[2]
They were installed in March after a long campaign by the village’s Community Speedwatch Group.
Falmouth Packet: Cllr Peter Williams has said the cameras will go back up
Cllr Peter Williams has said the cameras will go back up (Image: Facebook)
But Cllr Williams told the Packet, although the vandals had cut through the base, the most expensive parts, the cameras themselves were intact and would be going back up very soon with a little added security.
“It’s absolutely devastating,” he said. "How could people be so evil to do this?
“This is there for the people who drive through’s protection. We’re protecting the people who live here and the people who drive through here.
Falmouth Packet: The electric cables were exposed
The electric cables were exposed (Image: Paul Armstrong)
“We have evidence to say that people are driving through here at very excessive speed. If they weren’t we wouldn’t have it.”
“We don’t know who done it but the police are on it and investigations are ongoing. What I can say to you is that we have recovered the cameras, the most expensive part and they are OK.
“They are taking them away and they will be putting brand new posts back up and putting the cameras back up as quickly as possible. It will be done in a very quick time.
“All the work we have done has got to be respected. Anyone who tries to cut them down again they will be seen because we will have little spies up to catch them.”
Adrian Leisk, Devon & Cornwall Police’s head of road safety, said: "I am saddened for the local community who championed the installation of these cameras and campaigned for years to do so.
"These cameras have improved road safety and will be replaced ASAP. Investigations are underway to identify the mindless vandals who did this. They have achieved nothing."
References
- ^ cut through (www.falmouthpacket.co.uk)
- ^ Facebook page (www.facebook.com)