Speed cameras hacked down on road where woman was killed still not replaced months later

Vandalised speed cameras that had been installed after years of campaigning by a bereaved mum have still not been replaced months after they were ripped down. Kelly Kennedy, from the Swansea Valley, died along the A4067 on July 4, 2016, after her car was ploughed into head-on by a man who had been racing another at the time. You can read the full heart breaking of Kelly's death by clicking here [1].

Following tireless campaigning by the 25-year-old's mother Tracy Kennedy a new 40mph limit, reduced from 60mph, was introduced along a two-and-a-half-mile stretch of the A4067 between the Ynystawe roundabout and Pontardawe [2] with average speed cameras put up along two sections. But sometime in October vandals hacked down one of the cameras in a matter which it is understood is being investigated by South Wales Police. The equipment still has not been replaced to the dismay of Mrs Kennedy who has called for it to be restored as soon as possible. For the latest Swansea news sign up to our newsletter here [3].

Kelly Kennedy (Image: Media Wales)

She said: "I did report it before Christmas [6] and I said it was so disappointing as I had been campaigning for so many years. Then the cameras get put up and you get idiots who decide to cut it down. I was devastated when I was told then had been cut down.

I was really upset. It's just mindless really. A lot of people have said to me, since the cameras have gone up, that it has made a difference.

"I know I can't please everybody, there are people out there that don't agree with them, but unless they have lost somebody close to them through speeding they are not going to understand. I just want to try and save people's lives. That's all my intention is because I don't want any other family to go through what we've been through.

"I'd like to see them reinstalled as soon as possible so they can keep a closer eye on people and bring the speeding down. As it is now they can still go quite quick along there now because they've cut one down on each side. People are complaining that they can't get here and they can't get there but all you have to do is leave earlier.

Kelly was doing the speed limit but there's other people who won't abide by it and that's why I think it is very important to have the speed cameras there so that they can be caught and dealt with." A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The damaged equipment has been recovered. We are in the process of returning it to the manufacturers for testing and are exploring costs for a replacement.

In the meantime the incident has been reported to police and investigations are ongoing." South Wales Police has been contacted for comment. Join our WhatsApp news community here [9] for the latest breaking news.[7][8]

References

^ clicking here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Pontardawe (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ For the latest Swansea news sign up to our newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Man seriously injured in alleged hit and run (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Two teenagers injured in electric bike crash after police tried to stop them (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Christmas (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Swansea (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ South Wales Police (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Join our WhatsApp news community here (www.walesonline.co.uk)