Road Safety Campaign

Many of you have told me when I’ve been out talking to people that you are worried about the safety of their children on Swindon’s roads now that the Tory Council is going to remove speed cameras.

Thousands of people are hurt on our roads each year and Swindon is no exception. Speed cameras catch speeding motorists and are proven to make other drivers slow down. The Council are gabbling with your safety and I am determined that they make clear what new measures they will be introducing to make our roads safer.

Queens Drive is a busy and dangerous road for motorists and pedestrians. I am proposing that a safety barrier is put along the road separating the vulnerable footpaths from the road. It would be great to hear your thoughts on this so please fill out the survey at the bottom of the page.

Your Thoughts

• Mr Ken Wood who lives on Queens Drive wrote to me to give his support for my campaign and also set out his fears,

“Further to your questionnaire regarding the safety barriers, I have lived in Queens Drive for 47 years and it is and always has been a dangerous road to cross, having no speed cameras can only make it more dangerous. Yes to the barriers and thank you for your good work.”

• Stephen also wrote to me setting out his concerns about the Council's decision,

“I am deeply concerned about the recent decision to cut funding for speed cameras in the town. I am fearful that this decision may act as a catalyst for other councils across the UK to follow suite.”

• Local cyclist Tim got in touch to express his fears about the impact removing speed cameras would have on cyclists,

“I am a keen cyclist and am a member of the Cyclist's Touring Club, I know you are against Swindon council's proposal to dispense with the speed cameras, I totally agree with you, this action surely will cause more accidents and maybe even more deaths on the roads. I believe the flashing warning signs that tell the driver they are going over the speed limit have a part to play in road safety but surely they cannot be as effective as a fine or a driving ban if a motorist is caught speeding by a camera. I believe we all have a right to use the road and feel as safe as possible, it is dangerous enough being a cyclist on the road and I feel taking away the speed cameras will make it even more dangerous.”

• Mr Day used the letters page of the Swindon Advertiser to attack the Tory Council’s shortsighted policy,

“The local Conservative Council leadership is seeking to challenge the UK Government on speed cameras. By all means look into the merits and otherwise of speed cameras, but please do not help encourage an all too common culture that denies the fact that excessive speed on the roads kills. Do we want to see more rat runs because irresponsible road users know that they will never be caught for going over the speed limit?”

• Mr Warren agrees with me that the speed camera on Queens Drive should be in action and protecting lives,

“Anne is absolutely right; the cameras on Queens Drive should be put back in action. The signage should have been resolved long ago. In this case it is the Tory council that is playing a political game, whilst putting the lives of children, cyclists and other users of Queens Drive at risk.”