Map reveals where 10 new Plymouth speed cameras will go

Plymouth is to have another 10 speed cameras installed to police a new 20mph zone. The average speed cameras will be dotted around roads around Stoke[1], Millbridge and on Eldad Hill - and include three cameras inside the zone. Two cameras will be set up in Stuart Road, one near the railway arch and another at the junction with De La Hay Avenue, and there will be three on Wilton Street, one near the Stuart Road junction, one near the traffic lights and another at the junction with Fellowes Place.

There will be two cameras in Molesworth Road, one near Stoke Damerel Park and another near the traffic lights. There will also be cameras on Eldad Hill, Valletort Road and Wingfield Way. Plymouth City Council[2] said it is paying GBP125,000 for the cameras but they will be operated by the police.

The 20mph zone is being set up around a new Mill Bridge pedestrian and cycle crossing[3], currently under construction, although the council is now stressing that the zone is also to provide safety for children going to and from Stuart Road Primary Academy. Construction of the crossing and footway works began in January and are expected to take around 10 to 12 weeks. A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: "The crossing over Mill Bridge will be a combined parallel (zebra) crossing for both pedestrians and cyclists.

It will not be controlled by traffic signals." The new speed limit will be in place from April and cover more than 20 streets. The council wants to extend it to cover an even larger area, in Stonehouse[4], in the next two years.

The scheme has already proved controversial with a wave of opposition from around the city. A consultation carried out last year resulted in 166 people in favour of the project and 163 against. But the petition "stop the 20mph zone in Plymouth" received 2,469 signatures[5].

The council has denied that the zone is a money-making scheme[6], although it has faced criticism that it is a "hunting ground"[7] for motorists.

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: "Let's not forget why these cameras are being installed. This is a safety scheme. "We received feedback from ward members and local residents who live within the new zone regarding excessive speeds, accidents and near misses in their neighbourhood, particularly for children and their families travelling to and from school.

Despite the rumours, we have been clear this scheme is not about the council raising money. We do not receive a penny from speed cameras." The council cited an RAC foundation report that said "average speed camera systems are effective in reducing collisions, especially those of a high severity... they appear to be as suitable for deployment in higher speed limits as in lower ones".

The council said a Transport for London study showed that in a 20mph zone enforced with average speed cameras rather than traffic calming, traffic flows more smoothly and emissions are lower and it also benefits emergency vehicles and buses. The council said that speed measurement begins when a vehicle passes the camera, which records the number plate together with a time stamp. When the vehicle exits the road section, the number plate is re-captured by the average speed camera.

The two anonymous data records are compared and an average speed calculated as evidence of speeding. The council said that for all vehicles passing the cameras which have not exceeded the average speed limit, the number plate data and vehicle images will be automatically deleted. The authority stressed the average speed cameras comply with data protection regulations by saving number plates only for speeding vehicles.

In such cases, the system can capture rear and front images to uniquely identify the driver when required. The data is transmitted only to the police. The council was unable to say whether a driver could end up with more than one speeding ticket from a single journey through the zone and a spokesperson said: "Any questions regarding enforcement need to be addressed by the police, who will operate the cameras.

However, our advice to anyone driving within the zone is to abide by the legal speed limit throughout the whole zone to avoid the risk of being issued with a fine." Click here[8] to join PlymouthLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

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References

1. ^ Stoke (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
2. ^ Plymouth City Council (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
3. ^ 20mph zone is being set up around a new Mill Bridge pedestrian and cycle crossing (www.devonlive.com)
4. ^ Stonehouse (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
5. ^ received 2,469 signatures (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
6. ^ denied that the zone is a money-making scheme (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
7. ^ criticism that it is a "hunting ground" (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
8. ^ Click here (chat.whatsapp.com)
9. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)