No decision on future of Telford speed camera

Council chiefs were today unable to guarantee a controversial speed camera in Telford, repeatedly attacked by vandals, will be replaced.

The latest attack on the camera in Bennetts Bank, Wellington, came last month when it was set ablaze by arsonists.

West Mercia's Safer Roads Partnership has said a decision on the camera's future now lay in the hands of Telford & Wrekin Council.

The council said today, however, no decision had yet been taken on its future.

Councillor Adrian Lawrence, for the council, said: "We are working with the West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership to review that site before making a decision on what to do following the vandalism.

"In making that decision, we will be looking at the effectiveness of that particular speed camera in addressing road safety issues and any continuing road safety concerns on the stretch of road in question.

"In addition, we have to take account of the availability of funding, as we are already dealing with a £600,000 reduction in transport funding for this year.

"The Safer Roads Partnership is talking to the insurers to try and recoup the costs of the damage caused to the Bennett's Bank camera. The camera that was in place there used relatively old camera technology so a like for like replacement is unlikely."