Switch Island cameras to affect 90,000 drivers a day

The busy junction sees more than 90,000 drivers a day

15:54, 19 Mar 2025

Switch Island has seen the introduction of new cameras at the end of the M57[1] in a bid to curb speeding and reduce the number of accidents occurring at the busy junction.

The junction has attracted criticism over the years, with people in the area often complaining about the number of crashes which take place in the area. National Highways estimates more than 90,000 vehicles pass through the junction a day.

National Highways has worked with both Merseyside Police[2] and Sefton[3] Council to introduce speed cameras to catch speeding drivers who refuse to slow down as the speed limit reduces heading into Switch Island.

Announcing the plans for two sets of cameras[4] last year, Bruce Parker, for National Highways, explained: "The Switch Island scheme completed in 2018/19 was a success across the junction.

"Collisions that have occurred are concentrated to one area, primarily due to motorists travelling too fast and ignoring traffic signals. Safety is our priority, and the new scheme is designed to influence driver behaviour, making the intersection safer for everyone."

The work was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of January, but was delayed due to numerous issues, with the work now to be fully completed by April 20.

National Highways confirmed one set of cameras is functioning and catching speeding drivers, with the second set of cameras and signage to be completed in coming weeks.

The project was forecast to cost around GBP5 million in order to improve journeys and the safety of drivers.

A spokesperson for National Highways said last year: "At present speed reduction signs gradually slow drivers travelling along the M57 towards the intersection to 50mph and then 40mph.

"The new safety measures are intended to slow motorists to the correct speed as they travel towards the junction and include:

• "Speed enforcement along the 50mph and 40mph sections of the M57 with the introduction of speed cameras, plus additional red-light enforcement.
• "Amending hatched areas and creating physical islands to safeguard pedestrians at the intersection, extending one island refuge and creating a new one."

As part of the work, National Highways also introduced a new road surface in order to reduce noise pollution in the area and improve the safety of people's journeys.

The month before the announcement of the work, the ECHO reported that claims made online had suggested a new speed camera had been installed on the M57[5] - and had already caught out more than 100 drivers.

However, National Highways said no such speed camera exists yet.

A spokesperson said: "We can now clarify that there have been no enforcement cameras installed."

References

1. ^ M57 (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Merseyside Police (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Sefton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Announcing the plans for two sets of cameras (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ ECHO reported that claims made online had suggested a new speed camera had been installed on the M57 (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)