§ Mr.Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are the precise locations of high resolution television cameras overlooking roads within his responsibility similar to those being installed along the M25; if he will give details of plans to install such cameras; and what is their purpose;
(2) how many high resolution television cameras are being installed along the M25; if he will list the parts of the road on which they are situated; and if he will make a statement as to their purpose.
§ Mrs.ChalkerA total of 62 monochrome cameras are being installed on the M25 motorway. Thirty-two are fixed
393W cameras within the Holmesdale and Bell common tunnels and 30 are cameras with limited pan, tilt and zoom facilities in the vicinity of Holmesdale, Bell common and Dartford tunnels and London (Heathrow) airport.
The Department of Transport does not maintain a central register of the precise locations of television cameras overlooking trunk roads. However, monochrome cameras similar to those being installed on the M25 are being used on motorways in the Birmingham area, on the Severn bridge and on the metropolitan section of the M4. There are plans to install them in, and on the approaches to, the A1(M) Hatfield tunnel.
These cameras allow immediate viewing of traffic flows, incidents and weather conditions. The information assists the police in setting warning signals, regulating and, if necessary, diverting traffic, and despatching emergency services by the quickest route.
A small number of temporary cameras are used during major motorway maintenance works. Some cameras that form part of local authority urban traffic control schemes may overlook trunk roads.