Tories would stop funding speed cameras

Central government funding for fixed speed cameras would stop if the Conservatives won the next election, the shadow transport secretary announced today.

Theresa Villiers said that under a Tory government, councils would have to raise the money to install them, and prove they reduced the number of road accidents.

Speaking on GMTV, Ms Villiers said fixed speed cameras were "not the best way to make our roads safer", adding that the income they generated had "blinded" Labour to the effectiveness of the alternatives.

She said: "They should be judged on their merits in terms of preventing accidents."

A spokeswoman for campaign group Safe Speed said the pledge was the "first step towards a return to good road safety" and called for all fixed speed cameras to be abolished.

She said: "After all, a safe speed is not measured in miles per hour.

"The ongoing distraction that cameras have caused, have done nothing to improve road safety.

"Focusing on the wrong road safety policies and messages prevents the correct ones from being implemented.

"We must ensure that road users understand the need to be responsible for all their actions, and that they are encouraged to seek ways in which to improve their abilities, skills, knowledge judgment and attitude."