Date set for Plymouth’s new 20mph speed cameras to be turned on

Plymouth's controversial new 20mph zone will be activated next week. Cameras will be activated when the speed limit is reduced from 30mph in more than 20 streets in Stoke [1] on Thursday, June 12. The scheme, which has cost the council GBP125,000, was supposed to be in force in April but has been delayed.

The council today said it is part of a scheme to make it safer for children travelling to school, which will also include a new parallel - pedestrian and cycle - zebra crossing on Mill Bridge, linking Stonehouse [2] Creek to Victoria Park. Construction of the crossing is near completion and it is expected to open within the next couple of weeks. Enforcement cameras have been installed and the council is continuing to put up 20mph signs and paint road markings [3].

Advanced warning signs will be in place before the new speed limit becomes enforceable to let drivers know they are being monitored. The council has repeatedly stressed that the cameras will be "average speed cameras" when asked by PlymouthLive that they would "only" be this and not static ones too. The council said speed measurement begins when a vehicle passes a 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 an average speed camera. Two cameras have been installed in Stuart Road [4], 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 is a camera in Molesworth Road, near Stoke Damerel Park.

There are also cameras on Eldad Hill, Valletort Road and Wingfield Way. The council has denied that the zone is a money-making scheme [5], although it has faced criticism that it has created a "hunting ground"[6] for motorists. The council stressed it is a safety scheme and that residents in the area had reported excessive speeds, accidents and near misses, particularly for children and their families travelling to and from school.

The scheme was developed following feedback from ward councillors about residents' safety concerns and approved in January [7] following public consultation, which 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 [8] and the scheme has proved controversial with a wave of opposition from around the city. Stoke residents appear split on the virtues of the scheme with some telling PlymouthLive the zone is larger than necessary, though saying issues around Eldad Hill and the junction of Wilton Street and Molesworth Road needed to be addressed.

Some said enforcement at 30mph would have been sufficient and some have complained about the visibility of some of the cameras [9], saying they are obscured by foliage or even railway arches, until motorists are close to them. The council has, however, stressed the cameras all meet Department for Transport requirements and none are obscured and highlighted the large number of signs that are being put in place. Some Stoke residents have already welcomed that traffic appears to be already moving more slowly in the area, and traffic flows have decreased, as motorists either believe the scheme is already live or are preparing themselves by driving more slowly.

Some feel it is beneficial to the area. The Stoke scheme is only phase one of a much larger 20mph scheme [10], which will be implemented within two years, and extend the 20mph zone around the Stonehouse area, covering High Street Primary Academy. Cllr John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: "The zebra crossing and 20mph zone are being introduced in response to feedback from ward members and residents concerned about speeding, accidents and near misses in their neighbourhood.

Many of these concerns are for pupils and families travelling to and from school and vulnerable road users will always be our number one priority. There are several primary and secondary schools within the two phases of the scheme and this will significantly improve safety on their daily journeys." Stoke Damerel Community College is just outside the zone, as is Devonport [11] High School for Boys.

City College Plymouth and Stoke Damerel Primary Academy are outside the zone too. But Stuart Road Primary is inside the zone and large "terminal" signs at the entry points to the 20mph zone will include artwork featuring safety messages, designed by pupils. The school recently introduced the city's first permanent Safer School Streets scheme following a successful 18-month pilot.

Two designs were chosen from nearly 60 created by the young artists to alert drivers to the importance of road safety, speed limits and people walking, cycling or wheeling in the area. The winning pupils will receive a gift card, a goodie bag and a certificate. Cllr Stephens said: "Our road safety team works closely with Stuart Road Primary, including supporting the introduction of its Safer School Streets scheme, which has been a huge success.

We are really pleased to be using signs designed by pupils as part of this first phase. "We hope the reduced speed limit - and the new crossing, when it opens - will help people feel safer when they travel through this busy area." Britta Nicholls, headteacher at Stuart Road Primary, said: "We are delighted with the new speed restrictions that will make sure that parents and children can safely travel to and from school.

We have had too many near misses in the past and welcome the reduced speed enforcement in roads around Stuart Road. This supports our mission to increase the number of families who walk, cycle or scooter to school for a healthier lifestyle, cleaner air and is environmentally friendly." Full details of the 20mph zone and maps showing the streets it covers can be viewed on the council's Stoke 20mph zone [12] page.

The new speed limit will be enforced by Devon and Cornwall Police [13]. 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 said questions regarding enforcement need to be addressed by the police. But the authority advised anyone driving within the zone to stick to the speed limit throughout the whole zone to avoid the risk of being issued with a fine.

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References

^ Stoke (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Stonehouse (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ continuing to put up 20mph signs and paint road markings (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ installed in Stuart Road (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ denied that the zone is a money-making scheme (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ created a "hunting ground" (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ approved in January (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ the petition "stop the 20mph zone in Plymouth" received 2,469 signatures (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ complained about the visibility of some of the cameras (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ a much larger 20mph scheme (www.devonlive.com)
^ Devonport (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Stoke 20mph zone (www.plymouth.gov.uk)
^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Click here (chat.whatsapp.com)
^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)