Speed cameras installed at roadworks in Scotland

Speed cameras installed at roadworks in Scotland

	Published : Fri, 17 Feb 2006 18:25 By : David Simms Print this Story

The Speed Enforcement Camera System (Specs) has been installed at specific routes in Scotland, which come under a bridge-strengthening project due to begin in a fortnight. The speed camera system will measure the average speed of vehicles as they make their way through important roads in South Lanarkshire, more specifically on the M74. The system will start operating from next month.

A speed limit of 40mph will also be imposed on vehicles traveling south of the Raith interchange for about 10 weeks as the bridge-strengthening project worth £2.1 million gets underway. Amey will be in charge of the maintenance here and its unit manager in southwest Scotland Gordon Allan said that speeding along roadworks poses a serious threat to life, "Five roadworkers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks," he said.

"Speeding in roadworks is a serious threat to life therefore the use of these average speed cameras while the bridge strengthening is taking place is a positive road safety measure." The maintenance firm will operate in collaboration with Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.

"The cameras also have a proven record of helping to improve journey times at roadworks which is a welcome benefit for commuters," Allan said. The work begins in the right earnest on March 3 and delays are anticipated ion the M74.

But AA Motoring Trust in Scotland welcomed the installation of the cameras and said that safety of workers was paramount, "Reducing speed so that traffic flows smoothly is crucial to keeping the motorway network moving and minimizing delays due to incidents," said Neil Greig of the AA.

"High-profile systems such as Specs appear to command instant respect from drivers with very few actually being caught and the vast majority adhering to the lowered speed limits.