§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing(a) speed and (b) accidents. [88552]
§ Mr. JamiesonSpeed enforcement cameras have proved to be highly effective at reducing speeding and crashes when placed at sites or along routes with a history of speed related crashes. In the first year of the safety camera pilot scheme the number of those killed and seriously injured has been reduced on average by 47 per cent. at camera sites. A full two year report of the cost recovery system for the eight pilot areas in the safety camera scheme will be published shortly, and will be made available in the Library.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of how many speeding motorists have(a) been caught as a result of speed cameras and (b) caused accidents by sudden reduction of speed on approaching speed cameras in the last three years. [88553]
§ Mr. Jamieson(a) The most recent year for which data are available is 2000. In 2000 733,500 drivers were either prosecuted or fined for speeding as a result of detection by camera in England and Wales. In 1999 and 1998 the numbers were respectively 498,600 and 403,800.
(b) There is no evidence that accidents are caused by motorists suddenly reducing speed at camera locations.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions have been held with other relevant departments about the(a) guidelines for siting of and (b) design and visual acceptability of speed cameras. [88555]
§ Mr. JamiesonGuidelines on camera deployment are contained in Circular Roads 1/93 that was subject to the normal consultation process. Where areas net off, additional guidelines and rules are in place. These have been approved by Ministers in consultation with the Safety Camera Project Board consisting of representatives of relevant Government Departments, the police and local authorities.
107W
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many residents near and adjacent to speed cameras were consulted about the positioning of each camera on average in the last year for which figures are available. [88556]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo information is held centrally about the number of local residents that may have been consulted because there is no requirement to consult local residents on the positioning of speed cameras.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedure is in place for consulting residents about siting of speed cameras. [88557]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere is no requirement to consult local residents on the siting of speed cameras. Highway authorities have powers under the Highways Act 1980 section 95 (A) to install and maintain on or near a highway structures and equipment for the detection of traffic offences. This includes speed camera housings and the camera equipment within.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras have been erected with authorisation by the Highways Agency. [88558]
§ Mr. JamiesonThis information is not held centrally.