THE future of speed cameras in West Berkshire is up in the air following a road safety budget cut.
Millions of pounds raised from fines goes straight to the Treasury, not into council coffers, and with the coalition Government slashing central funding, thousands of cameras across England and Wales are to be shut off as councils can no longer afford to keep them running.
In 2008 Swindon became the first town to abolish the cameras, and last week Oxfordshire said it was planning to switch off its 79 cameras as early as next week.
The 32 cameras in West Berkshire are maintained by the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership (TVSRP). The partnership receives funding via the six unitary authorities in the form of Government grants - the amount of which is agreed by the councils each year.
However, after a huge reduction to its road safety budget, West Berkshire Council has slashed £73,000 from the total amount it was set to pay the partnership, and with further cuts expected over the coming year, it may be that the cameras become an expense far too great for the road safety group.
Portfolio holder for transport, David Betts (Con, Purley-on-Thames), said discussions were taking place with the partnership, and with less funding in place to pay them, uncertainty around speed cameras in the district was growing.
“Talks are ongoing with the partnership just as with other agencies. If we have our funding cut, we don’t have money to pay them.”
Mr Betts added that uncertainties over future budgets meant no long-term strategy could be put in place should the cameras, some of which are old an in need of repair, need replacing.
However Richard Owen, spokesman for Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, said as far as it was concerned, nothing had changed.
“West Berkshire will not be doing an Oxfordshire. The cameras are staying on.”