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What is it?
It is speed enforcement being undertaken by a local Council. It is the first such pilot in the country where a local council is able to sanction speeding drivers with penalty charges (fines).
For the pilot, Wandsworth Council in London is using the Redflex SpeedRadar camera, which has UK Home Office Type Approval for enforcement of speed limits from 20mph to 140mph.
Where is it?
The pilot is being conducted on two residential roads, Wimbledon Park Road and Priory Lane. Residents regularly complained about speeding and before data showed over half of drivers (52%) exceeding the 20mph speed limit.
How much are the fines?
The Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is £130. This is halved if paid within 14 days.
Is there a warning period?
For the first four weeks, a single warning letter was issued to drivers/riders detected exceeding the speed limit. This period ended on 20th November 2022.
What about penalty points on driving licences?
No penalty points are given. This is civil enforcement and separate from police enforcement.
How long does the trial last?
The experimental order last up to eight months (June 2023). After this time, the cameras are not allowed to function on those roads and so must be disconnected or bagged over. They can be moved to other roads. If successful, it is likely they will be moved to other roads.
How will success be measured?
Success is to be measured by
- Reduction in average speeds
- Reduction in speeds at 24 mph and above
- Positive outcomes to any legal challenges.
Where does the income go?
Wandsworth Council has stated that “Income from traffic enforcement is ringfenced for transport-related projects and is reinvested into the transport infrastructure, for example, highway maintenance that supports the community at large and concessionary travel which offers free bus and tube travel for elderly and disabled residents”.
Under what legislation?
It is being undertaking as an experimental traffic order (ETMO), under the existing London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 (the Act which allows boroughs to enforce moving traffic offences in London).
Who do we have to thank for this pilot?
We have the current Labour-led council as well as the previous Conservative-led administration, and local campaigners to thank for this pilot.
It has been a long time coming. The late-Robert Molteno and Susie Morrow, Wandsworth Living Streets co-chairs, lobbied for many years for 20mph speed enforcement, including with this pilot. Robert died earlier this year, before it was launched. Susie noted
“The scheme started under a Conservative administration and has been implemented by the succeeding Labour administration, elected in May 2022, demonstrating that slower speeds are not about party politics. And that there is cross-party consensus on the need for safer, more accessible streets.”
“Wandsworth’s enforcement trial is potentially a game-changer for London (and elsewhere in UK) in helping re-shape thinking and culture around who, and what, our streets are for.
And thanks to Susie Morrow, Wandsworth Living Streets, who also lobbied for this scheme and provided the background information.
NB Image shown is not a speed camera in either of the two Wandsworth locations.
Further information
London Councils paper https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/download/file/fid/28817
Wandsworth Council Speed camera pilot FAQs https://wandsworth.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-safety/speed-enforcement-pilot-priory-lane-wimbledon-park-road/
Wandsworth Borough Council press releases: https://wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-october-2022/council-s-pilot-scheme-to-target-speeding-motorists-is-uk-s-first/