Caithness average speed camera deployment a ‘missed opportunity’
A plan to deploy average speed cameras in north-west Caithness has been described as a “missed opportunity” amid concerns that the worst examples of unsafe driving may go undetected.
At the same time, campaigners say they are disappointed that the temporary deployment on the A836 west of Thurso – which was expected to begin in July – has yet to get under way.
Transport Scotland announced in June[2] that there would be four camera columns – one at a site east of Reay, one at Forss, another near Brims Hill and one just to the west of Thurso.
It said live operation of the cameras would start “this summer and continue until traffic levels return to post-summer volumes”.
The scheme is being spearheaded by the Northern Safety Camera Partnership and Highland Council.
That section of the A836 is used by motorists travelling to and from Dounreay and Vulcan, as well as being part of the North Coast 500, and calls for safety improvements have intensified in recent years.
The two community councils in the area, Thurso and Caithness West, have both raised concerns over the location of the average speed cameras and questioned how effective they will be in reducing speeds on two straight sections in particular.
Highland councillor Struan Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said: “While the installation of average speed cameras will undoubtedly act as a deterrent, my council colleagues and I are disappointed about the lack of community consultation on camera placement in west Caithness.
“Speeding on the A836 is a significant issue and community campaigns have clearly identified problem areas such as the Forss straight and Balmore straight.
“We feel there has been a missed opportunity to target these speeding hotspots through the alternative placing of cameras at each end of the straights, instead siting the cameras close to corners where traffic will inevitably be reducing speed.
“Given the temporary nature of the deployment, we ask the partnership to consult with the community and elected members on any rollout in the future.”
Councillor Matthew Reiss, who also represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said: “The presence of the cameras will deter non-local drivers.
“I wish we had been consulted regarding the positioning of the actual cameras. We need one at each end of the Forss straight and the other two on the Balmore section. It is exasperating.”
In early June, a police sergeant told Thurso Community Council that mobile average speed cameras – similar to those on the A9 between Inverness and Perth – “are due to be running on the A836 between Forss and Reay next month[3]”.
However, a safety camera unit spokesperson at Police Scotland said on Monday: “Due to delays with the installation, the temporary average speed cameras on the A836 are not yet operational.
“Prior to the cameras recording offences there will be social media activity and a press release will be put out.”
Forss Straight Campaign Group was formed in 2021, comprising community councillors Thelma Mackenzie (Thurso) and David Craig (Caithness West) and Highland councillors Ron Gunn, Struan Mackie and Matthew Reiss along with Iain Gregory, a retired police area commander and the co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery.
Mr Gregory said: “It is very disappointing to learn that the camera system is apparently still not yet operational, especially as we are now in the peak holiday system, with very high traffic volumes utilising this major route on a daily basis.
“Whilst we maintain that permanent measures are essential in the area, with double white lines and a speed restriction required in the village of Forss in particular, we had hoped that the cameras would at least serve to reduce the overall speed of vehicles.
“We continue to hear regularly from concerned residents who fear that further traffic collisions are inevitable, and we hope that this system will soon be commissioned and in use.”
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References
- ^ Click here to sign up to our free newsletters! (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ Transport Scotland announced in June (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ are due to be running on the A836 between Forss and Reay next month (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk)