The head of a parish council in Bedfordshire has told how the introduction of average speed cameras into his village on the A5 have changed driver behaviour.

Chair of Hockliffe Parish Council, Robert Scott, was reacting to the fact more than 1,200 drivers were caught in just one week by the Jenoptik scheme between Dunstable and Milton Keynes.

“It’s made a huge difference to safety in Hockliffe and has reassured residents their concerns about speeding have been listened to and acted upon,” Cllr Scott told The Luton News.

“The opening of M1 junction at 11a was much-needed, but the significant increase in traffic through the village – particularly with the speed and size of some vehicles – made it feel a dangerous place to live. The collaboration work that has taken place between National Highways and Bedfordshire Police has made a real difference to the issue of speeding and that contributes to making Hockliffe safer.

“I accept there are very few people who want to see new speed cameras, but they really were a last resort after we had tried a number of other initiatives.”

The newspaper says the cameras led to over 1,200 notices of intended prosecution issued to drivers during the first seven days of operation. One driver was clocked at 79mph in a 30mph zone and enforcement action is now pending.

The newspaper adds that local MP Andrew Selous called them “a relief for village residents who have had to endure unacceptable speeding in the past.”

(Picture – Jenoptik)