New average speed cameras have started to be erected under the cover of darkness in Plymouth.
The new cameras are part of what Plymouth City Council calls an ‘improvement scheme’ for Royal Parade, costing a whopping £7.5m.
Previously, there were four static speed cameras on Royal Parade in the City Centre, which have now been ripped out.
These will be replaced by an average speed camera system costing £131,000.
Despite this price tag, the council claims that they ‘do not make any money from traffic camera fines’.
Currently, the speed limit on Royal Parade has been reduced to 20mph while works are underway.
In the spring, this will go back to 30mph, and the new cameras will be activated once the scheme is complete.
A spokesperson for Plymouth City Council said:
"Before the bus improvement scheme works started, Royal Parade had four static speed cameras – two sets on each side. These were housed on extended sections of the central reservation that stuck out into the road. We needed this space to build the new layout for the extra bus stops.
"Part of the improvement scheme is to replace these static cameras with an average speed camera system covering the length of Royal Parade to ensure a safe space for pedestrians along this busy city centre road. The cost of static cameras would have been higher and installing an average speed camera system was simpler.
"The speed limit is currently 20 mph because of the road works and to keep contractors safe, but once the work is complete the limit will go back to 30mph.
"The cameras – which cost £131,000 – will be activated once the scheme is complete which will be in the spring.
"And just as a reminder, the Council does not make any money from traffic camera fines. Once police operating costs are met, surplus money from fines goes to the Vision Zero road safety partnership and by law the funding has to go into road safety measures."
Sign up for free below to get notified of all the latest breaking news from Plymouth Plus.
