The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall is hailing new average speed cameras in Cornwall, which she “sincerely hopes” reduces the number of collisions on a key route between Truro and Falmouth.
Alison Hernandez joined councillors for the official launch of the Jenoptik scheme on the A39 at Perranarworthal, which is described as “notorious” for speeding drivers.
The cameras are the result of work of the village’s Community Speedwatch Group who have long campaigned for speed reduction measures along the road.
Volunteers from the group have worked with Cornwall Council over several years to carry out regular speed checks, gathering evidence of drivers exceeding the speed limit despite various measures introduced to make road users aware of the 30mph limit.
Ms Hernandez said: “It’s fair to say that you won’t find many residents as passionate about road safety as those of Perranarworthal. As a community living alongside a main road, they regularly witnessed the issues caused by excessive and inappropriate speed, and decided to do something about it.
“Their Community Speed Watch (CSW) volunteers have been instrumental in this campaign, tirelessly monitoring the road and supplying the police and council with their findings.
“These new average speed cameras will now provide constant monitoring along this section of the A39, where there have been numerous collisions and injuries. I’d like to congratulate the community of Perranarworthal for working in collaboration with Cornwall Council and Devon & Cornwall Police to make this happen. I sincerely hope it helps drivers adhere to the speed limit and reduces the number of collisions on this route.”
Councillor Peter Williams, Cornwall Council local Member for Mylor, Perranarworthal and Ponsanooth, added: “This has been one of my key priorities as Cornwall Councillor for Perranarworthal and I am pleased to have delivered on this for not only the people I represent but also everyone who uses this busy route between Truro and Falmouth.
“Thank you to the numerous people and organisations who have worked with me to make this happen over the past few years – it has been a long road to a good outcome, and I hope this will make where we live a safer place.”
Connor Donnithorne, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, explained that there was no other option left for this road: “Cameras are not always the answer, and we will look to various engineering solutions first. However, despite the introduction of traffic calming measures such as pedestrian islands and gateway features making it clear that drivers are entering a residential zone, speed has continued to be a problem here.
“I would much rather drivers respected speed limits in place to protect communities than for speed cameras or highway changes to force them into it. But where there are issues, we will work with communities to assess the need and possible solutions.”
This average speed camera scheme marked the 250th installation of a Jenoptik SPECS scheme in the UK since the first installation in Nottingham in 2000.
(Picture – Cornwall CC)
