Speed cameras have been chopped down by vandals
Speed cameras on a busy route infamous for serious and fatal crashes have been hacked down. The poles, across the border in Cornwall, were installed at the start of this year at the request of local residents.
The cameras were designed as a way to save lives following numerous serious crashes, including fatalities, in the area. The cameras were installed in January and went live in March on the notorious stretch where 10 lives have been claimed in recent years.
The two average speed cameras monitoring the 30mph zone on the A39 at Perranarworthal between Truro and Falmouth though have been sheared near the bottom. The two yellow cameras at each end of Perranarworthal were cut down over night using power tools. Devon and Cornwall Police said they are investigating the act of vandalism, as CornwallLive reports.[1][2][3][4][5]
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.”
Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed they are investigating the act of vandalism but also insisted that they will be replaced as soon as possible.
The average speed cameras installed on the A39 on a notorious stretch of road between Truro and Falmouth in March 2023 have been cut down with an angle grinder by vandals in October 2023 (Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)
A spokesperson for the force and Vision Zero said: “These speed cameras were installed after a long campaign by the local community to keep residents safe and encourage drivers to stick to the speed limit. This is a busy route through a residential area and the 30mph speed limit is there for a reason.
“It’s very disappointing that the cameras have been vandalised – we ask anyone with information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police on 101. We will replace the cameras as soon as possible.”
Cornwall councillor Peter Williams, for Mylor, Perranarworthal & Ponsanooth, said council staff have been on site in Perranarwortal as soon as it was reported that the cameras had been cut down.
He said: “The cameras are OK. The poles were cut but not the cables. The poles will be replaced as quickly as possible.”
References
- ^ A39 (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Truro (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Falmouth (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.cornwalllive.com)
- ^ as CornwallLive reports. (www.cornwalllive.com)