Permanent speed cameras on way

Four permanent speed cameras and four interactive speed signs are to be installed on London Road between Newark and Balderton.

Nottinghamshire County Council says there is a higher than average number of accidents on that stretch.

The four cameras, two in each direction, will be installed between Beaumond Cross, Newark, and Main Street, Balderton.

The council is organising the installation. Preliminary sites are going through a safety audit.

The £140,000 cost of the cameras and signs, to be in place by the end of March, will be met by a road safety grant.

The interactive signs, to warn drivers exceeding the limit of the presence of cameras and to slow down, will be installed before each camera.

London Road has been a mobile safety camera site since 2002 but despite this and other traffic schemes, accidents have continued.

From January, 2006, to August, 2009, there were 55 reported injury accidents, 13 of which resulted in serious injury. In total, 69 people were hurt.

A survey has shown that most vehicles exceed the 30mph limit, travelling at around 39-40mph in the day and 45-47mph at night.

There are 14 sites in Nottinghamshire where such cameras have been installed and an average reduction of about 76% has been recorded in the number of people killed or seriously injured.

The total number of accidents in these areas reduced by an average of 40%.

Interactive speed signs are also due to be installed on Hawton Lane, Balderton. They will highlight drivers’ speed.

The county councillor for Balderton, Mr Keith Walker, was due to meet council staff yesterday to discuss sites.