Work To Install Average Speed Cameras On A1079 Nears Completion

Work to install state-of-the-art average speed cameras on a stretch of the A1079 between the Shiptonthorpe and Dunswell roundabouts is nearing completion.

They have replaced outdated cameras on the Market Weighton bypass, on Arras Hill near Market Weighton and on sections of the Beverley bypass.

The new cameras will be fully operationally in the next few weeks after a period of testing.

They have been designed and installed by national contractor Vysionics at its recommended locations on behalf of Safer Roads Humber, a partnership which includes East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.

Partnership spokeswoman Ruth Gore said: “The cameras take a series of readings along the road and only drivers exceeding the speed limit will be detected and sent a fixed penalty notice (speeding tickets). We urge all motorists to drive safely and carefully within the speed limit at all times.”

The previous 12 cameras – dating from 2006 – have been replaced with digital ones because they had passed their lifespan and still relied on film which had to be developed.

The new cameras will ensure the speed limit can be enforced along the whole route rather than just at set points and they are costing Safer Roads Humber £890,000, which covers the installation and also maintenance for the next eight years.

Councillor Andy Burton, portfolio holder for planning, highways and transportation at east Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We want roads in this region to be as safe as they can possibly be; in other areas of the country, the installation of average speed cameras has helped to reduce casualties on the roads.

“We want motorists to keep to the speed limits on our roads, which will help keep them and other road users safe and keep collisions to a minimum. We are confident that this new equipment will help to achieve these aims.

“Before the installation of the current cameras, the A1079 was classed as a medium to high risk road by Euro RAP ( the independent international system for rating roads across the continent). Between 2002 and 2004, there had been 71 crashes along this section of road, resulting in 138 people being injured, of whom 36 were seriously or fatally injured. Since the cameras were installed in 2006, the number of injury crashes and the severity of injury have been greatly reduced.

“We want to maintain these greatly improved statistics, which is why it was essential that the outdated cameras were replaced by modern equipment.”

PC Simon Carlisle, casualty reduction officer for Humberside Police, said:

“Average speed cameras allow motorists to manage their speeds considerably better. They prevent what we call ‘camera surfing’, where motorists speed up after passing a known camera site, but equally they prevent the triggering of an old style camera by a brief lapse in concentration. Motorists will be able to maintain a more constant, steady and safe speed.”

Safer Roads Humber is reminding motorists that all existing speed limits on the A1079 will remain the same as they are now, including the 60mph limit on the climb up Arras Hill. There are signs at regular intervals to remind motorists of the average speed cameras.