Hi-tech cameras bid to cut speed

A new generation of speed cameras, which make it almost impossible for speeding drivers to avoid being caught, are to be introduced for the first time in Shropshire.Council bosses hope the new average speed cameras will deter the large number of drivers who continually flout the limit on Telford's A442 Eastern Primary road.

They hope to get the cameras in place early next year - making Telford one of the first places in the West Midlands to use them.

Although the original speed cameras have been hailed a success in cutting the toll of death and injury, they only nab speeding drivers over a few yards of road.

Motorists with local knowledge will often slam on their brakes when they reach a camera's small target area before accelerating away again at high speed.

Average speed cameras - sometimes seen at motorway roadworks - measure the time it takes for a vehicle to travel over a much longer distance.

Signs warning motorists that average speed cameras are watching them have been found to be effective elsewhere in the country at slowing motorists down.

Telford & Wrekin Council is looking at installing average speed cameras along the A442, the borough's busiest road. Officials say excessive speed is a key factor in the dual carriageway's high accident rate.

Councillor Steve Bentley, cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are very keen to see if we can get these new cameras up and running on the A442.

"These cameras are fairer to drivers - they won't penalise drivers who may speed over a very short stretch and instead help catch those who continually drive over the speed limit over much longer distances and endanger other motorists."