17 speed cameras with zero flashes since 2019

Thames Valley Police publishes data from speeding offences by its fixed cameras on its own website on an interactive map. But 17 cameras, including in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Witney and Bicester, have 'zero' under offences registered. Zero offences were recorded at speed cameras in Marston Ferry Road in Oxford, West Way or Cumnor Hill in Botley and Oxford Road in Kidlington.

Speed camera Audlett Drive, Abingdon(Image: Google Maps) In Abingdon, zero offences were recorded since 2019 in Audlett Drive, where the speed limit has gone down from 40mph to 30mph, and Wootton Road which is now a 20mph road. Elsewhere, zero offences were recorded in London Road in Wheatley, Foxhill Road in Didcot, Woodstock Road in Witney and Buckingham Road and Churchill Road in Bicester.

The speed camera along the A40 at Swinbrook and Widford has also not flashed a single time since 2019, as well as ones in Lamborough Hill in Wootton, High Street in Bloxham, High Street in Nettlebed, Oxford Road in Banbury, Main Road in Long Hanborough and on the A329 in the villages of Great Milton and Stadhampton. This newspaper asked Thames Valley Police for a reason behind this apparent lack of data regarding speeding offences, whether it was a genuine fault in the data or there really has been no instances of people speeding at these locations. READ MORE: Am I exempt from Oxford congestion charge - how do I apply?[1]

A spokeswoman for the force said: "Thames Valley Police operates a number of fixed safety cameras across our three counties, not all of which are operational all of the time. However they could be operational at any time. "The data that we use to decide which cameras are operational at which times is constantly reviewed and we adjust our approach based on the data and intelligence available to us."

Essentially, the data is correct, the force said. Although the data is non-existent, speed cameras are not always operational at all times. Thames Valley Police insists all of the cameras have the technology installed in them, but the data is just a case of when they are operational.

Speed cameras in Oxfordshire include approximately 70 fixed camera sites, plus several junctions with red-light cameras. These speed cameras significantly contrast the ones in Botley Road which this newspaper exclusively revealed flash on average nine times a day. The highest speed recorded in Botley Road was by a Volvo on July 10 last year at 86mph, almost three times the 30mph speed limit.

But also 9,077 drivers have been caught at 35mph and subsequently sent a letter since June 2017. 

References

1. ^ Am I exempt from Oxford congestion charge - how do I apply? (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)