First of many perhaps?
Discussion
Hot topic on the local news today. Hope for the future?
"Road safety chiefs have accused North Somerset Council of risking lives following a decision to slash the budget for speed cameras.
North Somerset Council has unilaterally cut £100,000 from the amount it pays the West Of England Road Safety Partnership.
The council says it will spend the money on alternative road safety schemes.
It has also warned the partnership it will totally withdraw at the end of the financial year if costs aren't substantially cut.
It means the number of mobile speed patrols on the districts' roads will fall drastically, a move which will increase reliance on fixed speed cameras.
This week, the safety camera partnership attacked the council's decision.
Spokesman David Gollicker said: "Earlier this year North Somerset Council engaged the partnership to run its enforcement programme - and agreed to meet the cost. The council is now reneging on that agreement.
"This is bound to lead to a reduction in camera enforcement in North Somerset, which I believe will put lives at risk.
"While there are those who would be glad to see fewer cameras so they can drive at irresponsible speeds through built-up areas, the vast majority of residents agree that cameras are playing a crucial role in cutting speeds and casualties."
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, the council's executive member responsible for highways and strategic planning, defended his decision, saying the money could be better spent.
He said: "We have been speaking to the camera partnership as there has been concern that it has grown too much and lost sight of its original purpose.
"All the money from speed fines used to be returned to the camera partnerships and local authorities, but since March it has gone to the Treasury and they give a fixed sum for road safety measures.
"But surprise, surprise, they have creamed off a percentage and it is not as large a figure as it used to be."
He said this was a problem as the council could not carry out its own safety schemes as well as financing the camera partnership to the same extent.
He added: "In our view flashing speed warning signs can be more effective at slowing traffic than a man in a van with a speed camera doling out fines.
"But this change will still mean the fixed cameras in North Somerset will be operated and serviced."
Cllr Ap Rees' decision means the council will pay £214,000 to the safety camera partnership this year, rather than the £314,000 it had originally agreed to.
The other £100,000, which is ring-fenced and has to be spent on road safety measures, will include £50,000 on installing flashing warning signs at sites across the district.
Another £25,000 will be spent on zebra crossings in Worle High Street, £20,000 on improving access to Wyvern School at Marchfields Way, Weston, and £5,000 on designing safety schemes.
The decision could mean job losses at the camera partnership."
"Road safety chiefs have accused North Somerset Council of risking lives following a decision to slash the budget for speed cameras.
North Somerset Council has unilaterally cut £100,000 from the amount it pays the West Of England Road Safety Partnership.
The council says it will spend the money on alternative road safety schemes.
It has also warned the partnership it will totally withdraw at the end of the financial year if costs aren't substantially cut.
It means the number of mobile speed patrols on the districts' roads will fall drastically, a move which will increase reliance on fixed speed cameras.
This week, the safety camera partnership attacked the council's decision.
Spokesman David Gollicker said: "Earlier this year North Somerset Council engaged the partnership to run its enforcement programme - and agreed to meet the cost. The council is now reneging on that agreement.
"This is bound to lead to a reduction in camera enforcement in North Somerset, which I believe will put lives at risk.
"While there are those who would be glad to see fewer cameras so they can drive at irresponsible speeds through built-up areas, the vast majority of residents agree that cameras are playing a crucial role in cutting speeds and casualties."
Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, the council's executive member responsible for highways and strategic planning, defended his decision, saying the money could be better spent.
He said: "We have been speaking to the camera partnership as there has been concern that it has grown too much and lost sight of its original purpose.
"All the money from speed fines used to be returned to the camera partnerships and local authorities, but since March it has gone to the Treasury and they give a fixed sum for road safety measures.
"But surprise, surprise, they have creamed off a percentage and it is not as large a figure as it used to be."
He said this was a problem as the council could not carry out its own safety schemes as well as financing the camera partnership to the same extent.
He added: "In our view flashing speed warning signs can be more effective at slowing traffic than a man in a van with a speed camera doling out fines.
"But this change will still mean the fixed cameras in North Somerset will be operated and serviced."
Cllr Ap Rees' decision means the council will pay £214,000 to the safety camera partnership this year, rather than the £314,000 it had originally agreed to.
The other £100,000, which is ring-fenced and has to be spent on road safety measures, will include £50,000 on installing flashing warning signs at sites across the district.
Another £25,000 will be spent on zebra crossings in Worle High Street, £20,000 on improving access to Wyvern School at Marchfields Way, Weston, and £5,000 on designing safety schemes.
The decision could mean job losses at the camera partnership."
blueyes said:
"He added: "In our view flashing speed warning signs can be more effective at slowing traffic than a man in a van with a speed camera doling out fines."
I went to sleep last night and I am dreaming that I'm in a parallel universe where there is common sense.
Nobody wake me please!
I went to sleep last night and I am dreaming that I'm in a parallel universe where there is common sense.
Nobody wake me please!
haha super!
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