GOVERNMENT BLOCKS NEW GATSOS

The Government is blocking the installation of some 500 new speed cameras, as signs that their effectiveness is doubted starts to emerge. Among the questions being asked is whether the speed camera bodies properly considered alternatives to cameras, such as remodelling road junctions or putting up warning signs.

According to a report in today's Times, camera partnerships, which involve the police and local governments, have been told to install no new cameras. The policy review is being overseen by Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman, who has allegedly been snapped several times by speed cameras, and at one point was a nine-point offender.

The reports suggests that the erection of cameras has in many cases been prompted by the concern of staff working for speed camera partnerships to ensure their own salaries were paid. As a result, the Department of Transport's concern is that the stats may have been twisted in order to produce the right results -- something that Safe Speed campaigner Paul Smith highlighted in yesterday's story about the M4 motorway's cameras not causing crashes.

Smith is reported to have said that he was "delighted that the department appears to be realising that it has used bogus statistics to justify more cameras.”

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