Swindon, first council to turn off speed cameras

Swindon became the first local council in England to switch off fixed-point speed cameras yesterday, saying the money to maintain them would be better spent on other road safety measures.

The Conservative-led council said it had deactivated the five cameras in the town and will instead install temporary vehicle-activated warning signs at three of the sites.

"In Swindon we are developing a reputation for challenging the status quo and being at the forefront of new thinking, " said Councillor Peter Greenhalgh.

"Our sole aim is to find new and more effective ways to reduce road accidents within our current budget."

The council paid about £320,000 for the upkeep of the cameras but the fines go to the government. Councillors said the money would be better spent on local traffic-calming measures.

Road safety charity Brake said the council's decision to get rid of the cameras was "reckless" and said it was "entering into a very dangerous experiment with people's lives."