A debate over speed cameras on Perth’s arterial roads has led to a spat between a politician and a senior manager attached to Police Scotland.
Councillor Alexander Stewart has told The Courier a response he received from Aaron Duncan, partnership manager with the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership (TSCP), regarding speed cameras does not fill him with confidence and is “woefully inadequate”.
The Scottish Conservative politician raised concerns about a “large percentage of speed cameras” on the main arterial roads into Perth, which “are inoperative”.
He said: “I was flabbergasted to find out that a large percentage of speed cameras were not working at any one time and wrote to the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership, asking for their comments. I received a written response which, I have to say, does not fill me with confidence.
“They (TSCP) reiterate the reasons for the cameras (being there), which are to reduce the number of people killed or injured on Scottish roads through targeted enforcement at sites. However, I would suggest that inoperative cameras are not an effective deterrent as people become wise to the fact that they do not work.”
He continued: “I am staggered by the partnership manager’s comments that ‘our fully operational operating ratio of cameras to sites is just under one in two’, which would appear to mean that we will never have 100% of these cameras operational at any one time, which, I believe, totally defeats the purpose.
“I have written again today, indicating that I am not reassured by the partnership’s response as it stands as I believe it is woefully inadequate.”
However, Mr Duncan responded by stating he is “extremely disappointed” that Mr Stewart did not afford him the opportunity to address any continuing concerns or misunderstanding he has directly.
“I note he states he has written to me but, to date, I have not received any further communication from him,” he said.
“In addition, I would highlight that Perth and Kinross Council are one of the key partners in the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership and have a seat on the executive board.”
He added: “I can advise that safety cameras have been in operation in the UK for over 20 years and the rotation of a set number of actual cameras around a greater number of camera housings has been in existence since that time.
“I would reiterate that all of the fixed camera sites in the partnership area are fully operational but, in line with our agreed strategy, do not always contain a ‘live’ camera. To this end, I am firmly of the view that the fixed cameras in the partnership area and elsewhere are both an effective deterrent and enforcement method and make a positive contribution to road safety.”