Far from being something that is seen as politically toxic, promising new speed cameras is now being seen as an electoral asset.
Birmingham Council’s ruling Labour Group is promising to install more cameras if it gets re-elected in May’s elections.
In a Twitter post it said “We pledge to TREBLE the network of average speed cameras in Birmingham, cracking down on illegal speeding and making our roads safer.”
In an accompanying video, cabinet member for transport and environment Waseem Zaffar says, “We will crack down on illegal speeding. We know that speeding is a huge problem here in Birmingham. But with more average speed cameras in place we can make our roads safer for everyone.”
In the video he is joined by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster on New Town Row in the city to point out a road where cameras have made a difference. “In my West Midlands policing crime plan on pledged to work with local authorities in order to increase the number of schemes in our area,” he says.
“Average speed cameras have had a massive impact in reducing speed,” Mr Zaffar concludes. “We will give everything possible to make our streets safer for all users, including pedestrians.”
(Picture – Birmingham Labour Twitter)
