Highlands Cameras
Discussion
Various reports in the Local Press this week indicate that Northern Constabulary and Highland Council are quite advanced along the route to create a partnership. I have discovered that councillors passed the proposal to "create a business case" (!) by the marginal vote of 10:12.
I spent much of Friday introducing myself to the local press and preparing for battle.
I have called a public meeting in Inverness on the Thursday 13th May at the Thistle Hotel (formerly the Mercury Hotel). Doors open 7.00pm. Naturally I'll be inviting the Police and the Council as well as the public.
I have a load of material in preparation for the local press that should go out tomorrow.
I will start a new Safe Speed section called "local" as soon as the press information has gone out.
I have identified The Police Officer in charge of preparations: Derek Croney. I spoke to him on the telephone - very friendly and helpful - and we immediately agreed a meeting to discuss the issues. A couple of hours later I had a phone call to advise me that Chief Inspector Arnott had forbidden the meeting. So I rang CI Arnott who would only suggest that I wrote to him. So I did.
I have spoken to the Chief Constable's office and requested a meeting. The Chief Constable (Ian Latimer) is away for a couple of weeks.
Naturally I'll be contacting Local radio and TV, but I have not done so yet - Monday I think, or I might actually take Monday off.
Will anyone based in the Northern Constabulary Police force area please get in touch? I could use a few local supporters, and I haven't previously needed to be active in this area.
(for those of you that don't know, Safe Speed is based in the Highlands - 30 miles north of Inverness. This time it's personal.)
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
I spent much of Friday introducing myself to the local press and preparing for battle.
I have called a public meeting in Inverness on the Thursday 13th May at the Thistle Hotel (formerly the Mercury Hotel). Doors open 7.00pm. Naturally I'll be inviting the Police and the Council as well as the public.
I have a load of material in preparation for the local press that should go out tomorrow.
I will start a new Safe Speed section called "local" as soon as the press information has gone out.
I have identified The Police Officer in charge of preparations: Derek Croney. I spoke to him on the telephone - very friendly and helpful - and we immediately agreed a meeting to discuss the issues. A couple of hours later I had a phone call to advise me that Chief Inspector Arnott had forbidden the meeting. So I rang CI Arnott who would only suggest that I wrote to him. So I did.
I have spoken to the Chief Constable's office and requested a meeting. The Chief Constable (Ian Latimer) is away for a couple of weeks.
Naturally I'll be contacting Local radio and TV, but I have not done so yet - Monday I think, or I might actually take Monday off.
Will anyone based in the Northern Constabulary Police force area please get in touch? I could use a few local supporters, and I haven't previously needed to be active in this area.
(for those of you that don't know, Safe Speed is based in the Highlands - 30 miles north of Inverness. This time it's personal.)
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
"Forbidden!" Verboten" when was the LAST time we heard that. Is he not a Public SERVANT or is he "THE BOSS!" i.e.(Fuhrer).
More power to your elbow Paul!
Do drive your way from time to time to see friends.
One issue, in your area I know is the state of the roads and road markings themselves, especially when driving at night on unlit roads, more so if you are a stranger!
In Germany, many such roads are marked "schaden," only to find that they are in fact BETTER than ours!
>> Edited by 8Pack on Sunday 2nd May 02:58
More power to your elbow Paul!
Do drive your way from time to time to see friends.
One issue, in your area I know is the state of the roads and road markings themselves, especially when driving at night on unlit roads, more so if you are a stranger!
In Germany, many such roads are marked "schaden," only to find that they are in fact BETTER than ours!
>> Edited by 8Pack on Sunday 2nd May 02:58
ricardo g said:
I hope that the meeting goes well for you but maybe somehting to bring up is an alterntive stragedy for dealing with the (going by the very numerous news articles) large amount of RTAs up that way. I am a little South of what is the highlands but the local news is similar.
Actually, Northern Constabulary have one of the best records in the country for improved road safety in recent years. Anyway, there's no real evidence anywhere that cameras improve road safety, so accident rate isn't really part of the argument.
Fantastic roads up there as well....
Glencoe is one of my favourite places to go for a drive for a day
The roads around Loch Ness are great as well
Stuart
--
The worlds gone mad and I've lost touch
I shouldn't admit it but I have..
It slipped away while I was distracted,
I swear I havent changed, how did this happen?......
Glencoe is one of my favourite places to go for a drive for a day
The roads around Loch Ness are great as well Stuart
--
The worlds gone mad and I've lost touch
I shouldn't admit it but I have..
It slipped away while I was distracted,
I swear I havent changed, how did this happen?......
sstein said:
Glencoe is one of my favourite places to go for a drive for a day
Dunno if Northern Constabulary comes that far south, however, ( www.camerascutcrashes.com/news.htm , about 1/3rd the way down)
April 2 2004
Bridge of Orchy speeding blitz detects 270 drivers in 2 days
Speeders condemned as police warn further detection on the way
RECKLESS drivers were condemned this week after 270 were detected speeding in Argyll and Bute in just TWO days.
A crackdown on speeding on the A82 at Bridge of Orchy resulted in a 'shocking level of speeding' according to the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.
Two drivers were detected travelling at 94 and 95 miles an hour on the road which has a 60 mph limit.
Now the Partnership has warned that the route will be the subject of 'random and increased speed detection' as a result of the high level of speeding.
And in a new development, the Partnership has announced that from this week, mobile speed detection by police will also take place on the A85 between Tyndrum and Dalmally (my italics).
Commenting on the speeding, Chief Inspector Bob Barbour, Head of Road Policing Specialist Services with Strathclyde Police, said: "We are simply not prepared to tolerate this level of speeding on the A82 at Bridge of Orchy.
"This is an appalling number of offenders detected in only two days. Drivers should be aware that if they continue to speed in this area they will be caught. We will be carrying out an increased level of speed detection on the A82 to stamp this out."
Both drivers travelling above 90 mph will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and will not be given the opportunity to settle their speeding offences by way of a £60 fixed penalty and three penalty points. Most of those detected speeding at the weekend will be given this option.
The Partnership, which consists of Strathclyde Police and every local authority in Strathclyde including Argyll and Bute Council, publishes the locations of all safety cameras - including Bridge of Orchy. The detection here is undertaken by clearly-marked police officers using mobile cameras. These locations can be found on the www.camerascutcrashes.com website.
A Partnership spokesman said: "There is no excuse for this kind of driver behaviour. The level of speeding at this location requires swift and decisive action and further safety camera patrols will now be required.
"We strongly urge drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit on the A82 at Bridge of Orchy or face the consequences. We also urge them to note the new area on the A85 which will be the subject of mobile speed patrols from April 1."
"Road users who do not speed can be assured that the Partnership is doing everything it can to prevent speeding."
On the first day of the crackdown (Saturday, March 27), 132 speeding drivers were detected between 9 am and 5 pm. The highest speed recorded was 94 miles per hour.
On the second day (Sunday, March 28), 138 speeding drivers were detected between 9 am and 5 pm. The highest recorded speed was 95 miles per hour.
andygo said:
Have they just discovered this road?
Has it been a well kept secret or has someone decided that they had better get involved in the scamera gravy train?
The latter. Argyll & Bute Council only joined the Strathclyde scammers late last year. Bridge of Orchy appears to be their first official site.
I haven't seen the scammers myself, however, surprise surprise, I have been told by a couple of people who have seen them that they do not hang about in the village itself, but on the open road where there will be the maximum revenue raising possibilities.
>> Edited by jeffreyarcher on Sunday 2nd May 23:09
The assault begins with the following article in the "Press and Journal" on 3rd May 2004 (North Scotland daily newspaper):
New Safe Speed local section:
www.safespeed.org.uk/highlands/index.html
New Safe Speed local forum section:
www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=22
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
New Safe Speed local section:
www.safespeed.org.uk/highlands/index.html
New Safe Speed local forum section:
www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=22
Best Regards,
Paul Smith
Safe Speed
www.safespeed.org.uk
Nice article Paul! and I wish you well!
My arguement has always been, IF you took say a F1 driver and said, I want you to drive down this road, (which you have NEVER seen before) as FAST as you possibly can, what would he want? The answer is GOOD road markings,signings, max speeds and clear warnings (and type)of hazards ahead.
Now we, as "normal" motorist do NOT generally do this, but, in my book, the same applies. Information,Information, Information, is what is going to save lives, NOT Camera, Camera, Camera!
Incidently, My friend, who is a retired police officer, has remarked on the lack of "Cats Eyes" south of Inverness on the A9 when driving at night, I also echo his thoughts. Perhaps you could persuade them that being so far North and the nights being long in this area that they really are important!
I admire your stance Paul, and it is up to us to support you in anyway we can!
P.S. Paul, I DO NOT wish to see that beautiful country of yours to become like North wales, i.e. EMPTY.
>> Edited by 8Pack on Tuesday 4th May 03:45
My arguement has always been, IF you took say a F1 driver and said, I want you to drive down this road, (which you have NEVER seen before) as FAST as you possibly can, what would he want? The answer is GOOD road markings,signings, max speeds and clear warnings (and type)of hazards ahead.
Now we, as "normal" motorist do NOT generally do this, but, in my book, the same applies. Information,Information, Information, is what is going to save lives, NOT Camera, Camera, Camera!
Incidently, My friend, who is a retired police officer, has remarked on the lack of "Cats Eyes" south of Inverness on the A9 when driving at night, I also echo his thoughts. Perhaps you could persuade them that being so far North and the nights being long in this area that they really are important!
I admire your stance Paul, and it is up to us to support you in anyway we can!
P.S. Paul, I DO NOT wish to see that beautiful country of yours to become like North wales, i.e. EMPTY.
>> Edited by 8Pack on Tuesday 4th May 03:45
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