New speed camera on Plymouth road where mum and daughter died

Plymouth is to get another new speed camera - on a road where a mum and daughter died following a collision last year. The camera will be "trialled" on Victoria Road, in St Budeaux [1], following concerns raised by residents and ward councillors who said there had been "racing" in the street. The static camera, which will be installed near the tennis club and play area, will be used to enforce the existing 30mph speed limit in both directions over a six-month period, Plymouth City Council [2] said.

It is one of two being loaned free of charge to Devon and Cornwall Police [3] by a "new supplier" on a temporary basis to test their operation. If the trial is successful the police hope to purchase the camera, which will then remain on Victoria Road. The council said Victoria Road has been chosen as a suitable site to deploy one of the cameras as it has seen "a number of collisions in recent years", some involving serious and fatal injuries and residents have been pressing the council to introduce measures to tackle speeding and improve safety.

Data from Crashmap.UK shows 16 "slight" and six "serious" collisions between 2019 and 2023. In March 2024, 24-year-old Destiny Harrison, from King's Tamerton, and her daughter Linnea Harrison, aged five, both died following the collision in Victoria Road [4].

Destiny and Linnea Harrison who were killed in a collision in St Budeaux (Image: Handout)

The council said it is hoped the camera will encourage greater speed limit compliance, and help reduce traffic noise along this busy route. Cllr John Stephens, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: "Victoria Road is part of our major road network and runs through a densely populated residential area.

There have been a number of collisions there in recent years, some of which were speed-related and some that have resulted in fatalities. "Local residents have been raising their concerns about speeding traffic for some time and we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to trial this camera enforcement free of charge. I hope it helps to remind drivers of the limit in place and deter the more deliberate 'racing' we often see along this road."

The camera is expected to be installed next week and will be fixed to a lamp column that will have yellow reflective banding. There will be warning signs on both approaches and it will operate in the same way as other standard speed cameras across the city - not as an average speed camera).

Pictures from the scene of the incident in Victoria Road, in March 2024 in which two people died (Image: Carl Eve/Plymouth Live)

The council stressed it does not make any money from speed camera fines. Once police operating costs are met, any surplus from fines goes to Vision Zero and, by law, has to go into road safety measures.

Vision Zero brings together councils, emergency services, health trusts, National Highways, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. Its vision is to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries to zero. A 20mph zone went live in Stoke [5] on June 12 this year, enforced by average speed cameras.

The zone, where speeds have been reduced from 30mph, cost the council GBP125,000 and was developed following feedback from ward councillors about residents' safety concerns and approved in January 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 and the scheme proved controversial with a wave of opposition from around the city. There are plans to extend it to cover a large area of Stonehouse [6] within the next two years.

Click here [7] 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. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.

If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice [8].

References

^ St Budeaux (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Plymouth City Council (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Devon and Cornwall Police (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ both died following the collision in Victoria Road (www.devonlive.com)
^ Stoke (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Stonehouse (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
^ Click here (chat.whatsapp.com)
^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)