Cameras to no longer be used as ‘cash-cow’

New Transport Minister Mike Penning has told MPs that the government will stop handing millions of pounds in grants to local authorities for new speed cameras.

The number of speed cameras has trebled over the last 10 years, and raise around £110million a year.

However Mr. Penning has warned the local authorities to use other effective means of road safety measures.

Local authorities will still be able to install new cameras; however the funding will have to come from council tax.

Mr. Penning said, “’The public must be confident speed cameras are there for road safety, not as a cash cow. Under this Government it will not be so.

“’If local authorities want new cameras they are free to do so using their own resources, but we strongly encourage them to use other methods of effective safety measures.”

But Ellen Booth, from safety campaign group Brake, told the Daily Mail, “’It is terrifying that Government ministers responsible for road safety are so set against speed cameras that have been proven to save lives.

“It is very disappointing to hear them talk like this and we are going to do our best to change their minds.”