Letting people know which Bedford borough average speed cameras are not in use could see drivers “potentially speed up”.
But a Liberal Democrat councillor said the cameras along Bedford’s Embankment are “not enforced”.
Last week’s Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (21 November) was given an update on the operation of average speed cameras across the borough.
Paul Pace, chief officer (environment) told the committee there are over 40 average speed camera sites across the borough.
“We do have some cameras that are not working at the moment, I’m certainly not going to be in a position to tell you which ones they are,” he said.
“A number [of those] across the borough that are currently not working are still on the old 3G network.
“[These] devices are in the process of being replaced with the new 4G/5G systems and will be completed by the end of this financial year,” he said.
Cllr Charles Royden (Lib Dems, Brickhill) asked for a list of the sites that are not operational.
Mr Pace replied: “I think we’ll be slightly reluctant to share [those] sites simply because we obviously don’t want people knowing which cameras are not operational.
“If you advertise [those] cameras that are not in use then you will actually encourage people potentially to speed, which may endanger the public.”
Councillor Royden said: “[The previous administration] always considered average speed cameras, safety cameras a priority.
“Can I have an idea on whether or not we can ask the police to enforce the average speed cameras which are currently on the Embankment for the 20 miles an hour [zone]?
“I know the police have said they should be self-enforcing but they agreed with us when we put them in.
“I don’t know why they won’t now enforce them. It’s very silly to have all these average-speed cameras on the Embankment which aren’t being monitored.
“I do believe that no tickets have been given out on the Embankment at all. That’s what I was told by the police.”
Mr Pace said he would make enquiries on the Embankment cameras.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
