Written question asked by David Nicholson (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 January 1997. It was answered by John Bowis (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Dept of Transport

Question: What authorities are responsible for installing speed cameras (a) on motorways and (b) on other roads; what measures his Department takes to ensure that the appropriate police authorities have time to prepare prosecutions; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this means of curbing speeding. - Inc ref to a study by Price Waterhouse of the costs and benefits of traffic light and speed cameras, August 1996 (in Lib).

Answer: Mr. David Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what authorities are responsible for installing speed cameras (a) on motorways and (b) on other roads; what measures his Department takes to ensure that the appropriate police authorities have time to prepare prosecutions; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this means of curbing speeding. [13041] Mr. Bowis: Highway authorities are normally responsible for installing the equipment in which the cameras are housed: these are the Highways Agency for motorways and trunk roads, and local authorities for other roads. The police are normally responsible for the purchase and operation of the cameras. Section 1 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 requires that a summons or notice of intended prosecution must be issued within fourteen days of the commission of a speeding or other road traffic offence. It is for individual chief constables to make arrangements to ensure that this requirement is met. A study by Price Waterhouse of the costs and benefits of traffic light and speed cameras, commissioned by the Home Office, reported in August 1996. A copy has been placed in the library.

Secondary information