Research reveals a significant number of inactive speed cameras in England and Wales

Almost half of the fixed speed cameras in England and Wales are inactive, according to a freedom of information request (FOI) answered by 25 out of 44 police forces.

The shocking new research suggests 46% of speed cameras in England and Wales may not be operational.

The research, from dash camera manufacturer Road Angel, found all eight fixed speed cameras in Northamptonshire were inactive while Gwent only had one active camera of 31 in place.

Derbyshire has more fixed speed cameras out of action than any other region (93), with only 20 of the 113 across the county capable of catching speeding motorists.

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Essex (110) and Devon & Cornwall (110) are the regions – along with Derbyshire – across England with the highest number of fixed speed cameras. However, each region currently has at least 40% incapable of catching speeding drivers.

Staggeringly, only two police forces that responded to the FOI request had all speed cameras working.

These were Dyfed-Powys in Wales, and Suffolk in England. However, both police forces only had four fixed speed cameras each.

The next best region was the West Midlands, which currently has only 5% of their speed cameras standing inactive. This means that 62 out of 65 devices are currently operational.

At the other end of the data was Leicestershire, which has a total of 18 fixed speed camera sites, yet only four of these are working. Currently, the region has 78% of the inactive cameras.

Three forces, Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire, reported they had no fixed speed cameras.

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Road Angel founder Gary Digva said: “If a camera is inactive and remains so for many months or even years at a time then it begs the question, why is it there?

“Yes, it may still play a part in encouraging traffic to slow down but it could also act to distract drivers and potentially cause an accident.

“Our view is that if cameras are present then drivers should be able to feel assured that they are working. If they are non-operational then they should be removed.

“That is why we are calling on police forces and local authorities across the country to carry out an audit of cameras and remove any non-operational devices as quickly as possible.”

What do you make of the data and the state of speed cameras in England and Wales? Leave your comments below.