A5 speed camera test after arson bid

Tests are being carried out to see whether a speed camera at the notorious Shotatton crossroads on the A5 was damaged in a failed arson attack.

Petrol was poured around the base of the camera on the road between Shrewsbury and Oswestry. A petrol container was also put in a wheelie bin under the camera and a tyre slung around it by someone trying to set fire to it.

But damp grass meant the fire burned out before it could reach the camera.

Baschurch fire station crew manager Geoff Davies has already criticised the attack, saying he believed the camera had reduced accidents and saved lives.

Katy Jenkins, communications manager at the West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership, said: "We are aware that there has been an incident with this camera at Shotatton crossroads with some form of fire stared at its base.

"We are investigating whether the camera itself has been damaged.

"Obviously we are very disappointed with any attack on a speed camera as it will both compromise the safety of people using the roads and harm the work that we do.

"Occasionally we have had these sorts of attacks in the past, but it is not a regular problem for us and we can't tell if people are targeting the cameras or it's just anti-social behaviour."