Average speed camera installation underway on A414
Essex County Council is installing the cameras along the A414 between Chelmsford and Harlow, with Essex Police and the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) supporting the work. Installation started earlier this month and is expected to be completed by mid-March. The speed limit for the A414 will temporarily reduce to 40mph for the next five to six weeks, to protect workers while installations take place.
The average speed cameras will support the permanent speed limit changes made last year from Widford roundabout to the B181, Tylers Green. These reductions in speed limit included reducing 50mph zones to 40mph and reducing national speed zones to 50mph or 40mph depending on location. Evidence shows that average speed cameras lead to more stable traffic flow, as well as fewer serious incidents and greater compliance with speed limits.
The camera installations come after a fatal crash involving two vehicles along the A414 in Ongar Road in May last year.[1] Emergency services were called to the scene, at the junction with Wyse's Road, and it was reported that a Peugeot Partner van and a Fiat lorry had been in a collision. The driver of the van, a man in his 30s, died at the scene.
Councillor Mark Platt, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: "We are taking vital steps to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions on this road by introducing improved speed enforcement with these new cameras. "As partners in the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, we are committed to working together to make the A414 safe for everyone as we work towards our ambitions to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries." Will Cubbin, Partnership Manager at the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: "Speed is one of the most significant contributing factors in serious and fatal collisions.
Even small reductions in speed can reduce crashes and prevent death and serious injury.
"Lower vehicle speeds on the A414 will create a safer environment not only for drivers, but also for pedestrians and cyclists.
"As a partnership, we are fully committed to supporting these measures as part of our ambition towards Vision Zero, a future where no one dies or is seriously injured on Essex roads."