Dozens of drivers were ticketed for speeding down Bedford’s Embankment in January, a senior councillor has said, but there should have been more.
A total of 54 tickets were issued for speeding for going over the 20-mile-an-hour limit, cllr Nicola Gribble (Independent, Renhold and Ravensden) told members at last night’s Full Council Meeting (Wednesday).
But there were further comments there should be more when taking the number of vehicles using the road into account.
The portfolio holder for the environment was responding to a plea from cllr Lucy Bywater to support the “proper enforcement of speed cameras”.
Cllr Bywater (Green, Castle and Newnham) said there was a collision on The Embankment over the weekend.
“[At] the crossing point that leads to the Butterfly Bridge – three bollards were completely knocked [down],” she said, “There was debris on the road and the pavement and large bits of car chassis and light casings were also left behind.
“I was quite shocked by the distance of some of the debris from the original point, which suggested the speed was quite considerable. I don’t know if anyone was hurt, and I assume it was one vehicle, but I don’t know.
“Given that we do have a 20 miles an hour [speed limit] on The Embankment, and we have average speed cameras which the council put in a number of years ago.
“I wanted to ask if you will add pressure for proper average speed camera enforcement, this is an issue that’s been regularly raised over the years,” she added.
Councillor Gribble said she was unaware of the incident.
“I’ve just pulled up the January data for The Embankment and a total of 54 tickets were issued for speeding,” she said, “That doesn’t seem very many considering how many vehicles use that stretch of road.
“So I will definitely find out when it’s read, what is read and I think that will be of interest to everyone.”
Cllr Bywater added: “Most cars are going at a reasonable speed, but there are some who seem to know they can get away with it, that’s my impression anyway.”
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
