Speed cameras: no more under Tories

Plans to halt the spread of speed cameras and traffic lights were announced at the Conservative party conference in Manchester yesterday.

Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers also promised that a future Tory government would hand local authorities more power to innovate through regional traffic schemes.

Villiers said: 'We need to get serious about reducing the infuriating and unnecessary hassle that so often blights the daily commute of millions of people.

'We will empower road users with the information they need to understand and influence the decisions which affect their daily commute.'

End of the road for speed cameras
The shadow secretary also said that speed cameras have 'reached their high-water mark' and a future Tory government would not fund any more of the devices.

Local authorities that want new cameras would have to prove there is no viable alternative, and would have to finance the project themselves.

Information on the safety record and fines collected by cameras would be made public.

Keep the traffic moving
Traffic lights, roadworks and slow accident clear-ups were all targeted by Theresa Villiers for causing unnecessary congestion.

Tory plans include forcing the relevant authorities to justify the presence of traffic lights allowing the public to have a say on the future of such traffic controls.

Overrunning roadworks will be subjected to bigger fines, and utility companies will be forced to 'rent' the roads they are digging up increasing the incentive to complete the works in a timely manner.

The shadow transport secretary also promised to crack down on 'cowboy clampers' who she said 'use intimidation to extort huge fines from hapless drivers'.

Local authorities: transparent and accountable
Local authorities will be expected to share publicly the information they collect on accidents and congestion, to allow public involvement and feedback on subsequent decisions.

Reactions to Conservative proposals

Association of British Drivers (ABD)
The ABD has welcomed Villiers plans to stop the spread of speed cameras and traffic lights, and to better publicise congestion and accident data collected by local authorities.

The organisation wants to see more details on how driver standards could be improved and how investment in the road network will be funded.

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
The CPRE welcomed the proposals to increase traffic police and for more education to help reduce deaths on the roads. It said more action was needed to help people feel safe and to enjoy walking and cycling, particularly on rural roads.