West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner has been left “frustrated” that average speed cameras are still yet to be installed on an A-road “after three years of delay”. John Campion (pictured, right) told the BBC that he had allocated £400,000 for the cameras on the A41 in 2022, but claimed Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council decided they were not necessary.

Mark Pritchard, the MP for the Wrekin (pictured, left), also expressed his annoyance over the delays and said the authorities were “reckless”.

Responding to the Conservative politicians, Labour-run Telford and Wrekin Council disputed when the money was made available and also said no decision had yet been made on how it should be used.

“It is unfortunate that the PCC has taken this decision without speaking with the council,” the authority said.

It confirmed it was also considering “further analysis in key locations”.

“The council has not rejected plans for the use of average speed cameras on the A41, in fact we would welcome the installation,” it said in a statement.

Campion said he had put aside the money after a review was carried out by West Mercia Police.

He said the A41 was identified as suitable for the cameras, because “the road was found in recent years to have experienced a high rate of fatal incidents compared to the national average”.

Complaining about the time it had taken to install them, he said: “I cannot help but wonder how many crashes could have been prevented if action had been taken sooner.”

In contrast to Campion’s claim, Pritchard said he had secured funding for the cameras “almost two years ago”.

“[This was] with support from John Campion, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, and I am hugely annoyed both councils have now effectively vetoed the average speed cameras,” he explained.

They should be installed “without further delay”, he added.

(Pic: West Murcia PCC)