Concerns raised over Plymouth’s ‘hidden’ speed cameras

Tory councillors have raised concerns that new average speed cameras policing a Plymouth 20mph zone have been "hidden". The Conservative group highlighted one camera close to the Stuart Road railway bridge and asked why the cameras had been fixed to lampposts and not on brightly painted yellow poles. Plymouth City Council[1] stressed the 10 cameras[2] all meet Department for Transport requirements and none are obscured.

The authority also said signage will be put in place to warn motorists about the cameras, but said the scheme has fallen behind schedule and will not be live until May. Tory councillors, however, said they have "concerns with the scheme" and said that if they returned to power in Plymouth they would re-evaluate it - and could even scrap it. A Conservative group spokesperson said: "The Conservatives have seen and noted cameras that have been hidden, one such camera behind the Stuart Road Bridge, and worse still not followed the standard criteria imparted elsewhere that all the poles are actually painted yellow to provide for visibility.

"Such actions by this Labour administration give further credibility that the cameras are not about safety, but raising revenue, if not, why not be open and transparent in the siting of these cameras?" The opposition Tory group said it would, if in power, create a set criteria and standardised formula that would have to be adhered to before any further schemes could be considered. And the spokesperson added: "We promise the people of Millbridge, alongside all those that signed the petition (against the 20mph scheme) that we are listening to you and soon as we are in a position to do so will evaluate this scheme, alongside all others in the city, and if it does not meet the new criteria they will be taken out."

The spokesperson added: "Such attacks on the motorist will no longer be tolerated, nor the use of such webs to entrap drivers. Any safety criteria we impart will be fair and balanced most importantly need to have a proper consultation and based on statistical evidence it is warranted in the interests of both driver and pedestrian safety. Not to raise revenue."

The council hit back by stressing, once again, that the scheme, in Stoke[3] and Millbridge but due to be extended into Stonehouse[4], was for safety and not to raise cash[5].

A council spokesperson said: "We have been very clear this scheme is not about the council raising money. It is about the safety of people travelling through this community. We would like to reiterate once again that we do not receive a penny from speed cameras."

The spokesperson also stressed that the cameras are visible and not "hidden", and said: "The cameras' location, infrastructure and signage will meet all the relevant DfT requirements. None of them are obscured by tree growth and we will continue to ensure they aren't." The scheme has proved controversial since it was announced in the summer of last year.

A consultation carried out in 2024 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[6].

The average speed cameras will be dotted around roads around Stoke, Millbridge and on Eldad Hill - and include three cameras inside the zone. Two cameras are in Stuart Road, one near the railway arch and another at the junction with De La Hay Avenue, and there are three on Wilton Street, one near the Stuart Road junction, one near the traffic lights and another at the junction with Fellowes Place.

There are two cameras in Molesworth Road, one near Stoke Damerel Park and another near the traffic lights. There are cameras on Eldad Hill, Valletort Road and Wingfield Way. Plymouth City Council 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, 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.

The new speed limit, covering more than 20 streets, is expected to be in force next month. The council said works on the Eldad Hill crossing are "running a little behind due to unforeseen repairs that were needed to the drainage system". It said Eldad Hill is expected to closer for resurfacing for "a couple of nights" in May.

The authority said it will soon start to install the 20mph signage and paint road markings and will confirm the date for the speed limit change after the "Easter holidays". The spokesperson said: "We have already confirmed we will be using average speed cameras to enforce the new speed limit and shared their locations. None will operate as fixed cameras.

"The cameras have been installed and we will soon be putting up new signage and painting road markings, ready for the change. There will be signs at each entrance to the zone, with '20' repeaters placed at appropriate intervals. We expect to implement the new speed limit in early May but will confirm the date just after the Easter holiday."

"Specific questions regarding enforcement should be addressed to the police, who will operate the cameras. However, our advice to drivers is to abide by the legal speed limit throughout the whole zone to avoid the risk of being issued with a fine." Click here[7] to join PlymouthLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone.

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References

1. ^ Plymouth City Council (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
2. ^ the 10 cameras (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
3. ^ Stoke (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
4. ^ Stonehouse (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
5. ^ for safety and not to raise cash (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
6. ^ received 2,469 signatures (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
7. ^ Click here (chat.whatsapp.com)
8. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)