Average Speed Enforcement cameras will be installed on key Black Country routes in a bid reduce casualties and tackle anti-social behaviour.
The phased introduction of average speed enforcement across the Black Country will bolster the speed enforcement operation across the highway network and raise the profile of this important tool to assist in reducing road incidents and clamp down on careless drivers across the Black Country.
The routes under consideration are:
Area Location
- Wolverhampton A449 Stafford Road and A4444 Black Country New Road
- Walsall A34 Birmingham Road, A4444 Black Country New Road, A4148
- Broadway North and A41 Black Country New Road, Moxley to
Dangerfield
- Dudley A4123 Birmingham New Road and A458 The Hayes/Park Rd/Drews Holloway/Stourbridge Rd (Lye to Halesowen)
Across the Black Country in 2017 there were 2,105 road traffic collisions resulting in personal injury to 2,916 people; 418 of these casualties resulted in serious personal injury and 24 people lost their lives.
In Wolverhampton, there were 503 road traffic collisions resulting in personal injury to 684 people; 84 of these casualties suffered serious personal injury and one person was killed.
Additionally, across the region there has been increasing
levels of anti-social behaviour such as car cruising which has adversely impacted on the community.
The new cameras aim to support the West Midlands Combined Authority Road Safety Strategy to significantly reduce killed and seriously injured casualties in the West Midlands.
Cllr Dr Lynnette Kelly, Assistant West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I have promised that I would improve road safety and do all I could to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roads. That is why I am pleased that these safety cameras are being delivered. Speed is one of the biggest causes of deaths on the road and one of the biggest issues that local people raise with me on a daily basis.
“The Black Country Councils are installing the cameras and the police are supporting them by processing and enforcing the fines. This shows that we are on the side of the overwhelming majority of motorists who drive safely and sensibly and want others to do so also.”
Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “It’s shocking to see the amount of people that have been seriously injured and even lost their lives on our roads. We recognise something needs to be done to tackle this Black Country-wide issue to reduce road incidents and anti-social behaviour.
“As a council, we have a responsibility to implement a wide-range of engineering and education schemes to address road safety issues to protect our residents and visitors.
“As well as supporting the Black Country car cruising ban, average speed enforcement cameras have been successful in reducing road accidents in other areas and I’m pleased to see them coming to Wolverhampton and the rest of the Black Country to improve safety for all road users.”
This approach to enforcement is fully endorsed by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner as it improves the traffic speeds along the route and enables the future introduction of enforcing red light running and ensures a consistent approach to the delivery of speed enforcement across the West Midlands area.
The new cameras will be installed on a phased introduction from 11 March 2019.
Cameras are also set to be introduced in Sandwell on A34 Birmingham Rd (between Scott Arms and Walsall boundary) and A4123Wolverhampton Road (between Hagley Road and Pound Road) subject to Sandwell Council’s Cabinet approval next month.
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