Focus is on speed cameras

OLDHAMERS will soon have more information on the performance of speed cameras in the borough.

The number of accidents and casualties at the 34 camera sites (including seven mobile units) within the area both before and after their installation will be revealed by the end of the month.

Ten people were killed on Oldham roads in 2010 and a further 59 seriously injured.

Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police will announce the number of speeding prosecutions arising from the cameras and the amount of fines dished out.

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson is among many who criticise the Gatso cameras – of which Oldham has 27 – claiming they are just there to rake in the cash.

Road safety minister, Mike Penning wrote to the borough council in June requiring the information to be published.

The minister said: “Local residents have a right to expect that when their council spends money on speed cameras, they publish information to show whether those cameras are helping to reduce accidents or not.

“I hope that this information will help local people to make informed judgements about the impact cameras are having on their local roads.”

The Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership, also known as Drivesafe, who operate the area’s speed cameras, will soon collate the figures from the ten local authorities.

Drivesafe say on their website: “Speed enforcement is always considered the last resort, and concerns about speeding in a particular area should be directed to the local highway authority responsible for road safety.

“The local highway authority has local knowledge of the location, and is in a position to consider alternative engineering solutions.”

Last year 83,000 people were caught speeding on Greater Manchester roads.