A new speed camera is to installed on Lansdown Lane in Weston, Bath in response to concerns from local residents about speeding and road safety. The move is part of a initiative that will see three new speed cameras installed across Bath and North East Somerset, the other two being in Farmborough and Temple Cloud.
The Lansdown Lane camera will be installed within the 20mph speed limit as part of measures to improve the safety of residents, in particular children and adults who walk to Weston All Saints Primary School. A number of road safety measures have been, or are being, installed on Lansdown Lane, including a zebra crossing by the roundabout, improved width limit signage at the top of the hill, the provision of a park-and-stride facility and improvements on Broadmoor Lane in front of the school’s main entrance.
The Temple Clous camera will be installed on the A37 as a replacement for one which was removed a number of years ago due to vandalism. It will be installed in the 30mph limit to help reduce speeds, improve the safety of pedestrians crossing at the traffic signals and to make movements in and out of Temple Lane safer.
As part of a package of measures to reduce the speed of traffic on the A39 through Farmborough, a new safety camera will be located next to the junction with The Street where the school is accessed. Additional work includes widening of the existing footpath, and centre hatching road markings to narrow the road width throughout the village. The A39/Timsbury Road junction kerb will be realigned to reduce the speed of vehicles entering Timsbury Road.
In 2017/18 the Council will also install safety cameras on the A362 in Writhlington and bring the existing camera on the A37 in Pensford back into use.
Avon and Somerset Police’s deputy head of road safety, Chief Inspector Kevan Rowlands, said, “Drivers who choose to exceed the speed limit can expect to be caught and prosecuted. Our message is loud and clear – drivers should assume that all roadside fixed cameras are operational and to drive accordingly. We believe that the static cameras can be operated in a cost-neutral way and that reactivating them for use alongside our mobile camera vans, will help in making our roads safer. Revenue raised from the cameras will be used to fund their maintenance and enforcement.”
The cameras are expected to become operational in April. They will all be a highly visible yellow colour and signs reminding drivers of the speed limit and warning them of a camera will be put in place.
Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit within a certain threshold are offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course as an alternative to a fine and penalty points by the police. The course is delivered by Avon and Somerset Police with the driver charged a fee. Income generated from the courses is then shared between Avon and Somerset Police and Bath & North East Somerset Council. The income is specifically used for road safety initiatives like speed cameras, traffic calming, training courses and other measures.