Drivers caught on camera fined £33k (From Southend Standard)
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Drivers caught on camera fined £33k
9:04am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in Echo News By Steve Hackwell
Watching – the average speed camera sysstem in Marine Parade, Southend
MORE than £33,000 has been raked in by new average speed cameras on Southend’s seafront in just three months.
An Echo Freedom of Information request revealed 551 motorists have been stung by the cameras in Marine Parade since they were switched on in February.
However, the number of fines issued each month has dropped rapidly since March and Southend Council chiefs said that showed drivers were learning their lessons.
Tony Cox, Tory councillor for transport, said: “The cameras were brought in to enforce the new 20mph speed limit, not for any other purpose.
“This clearly shows they are doing that job and doing it well.
“I was always confident the level of fines would drop with time.”
The speed limit in Marine Parade was reduced from 30mph last year as a result of the £7.6million City Beach revamp.
The Government-funded works narrowed the road from two carriageways to a single strip and introduced the controversial concept of shared space involving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Council chiefs chose to drop the speed limit to try to reduce the danger posed to pedestrians, but police insisted the move was not enforceable without speed cameras.
Three cameras, funded by Olympus KeyMed, were installed at the western and eastern ends of Marine Parade, and in Hartington Road, to catch speeding motorists.
The statistics obtained by the Echo show 245 drivers were fined in March, the first full month of operations.
That figure fell to 217 in April and just 89 in May.
Ryan Jones, 25, who drives along Marine Parade as part of his commute from his home in St Andrew’s Road, Shoebury, said: “I’ve never been caught by the cameras, but I don’t see why they’re needed either.
“It’s impossible to go very fast down that road because it’s narrow and there are people either side.” Paula McMahon, 32, from Westcliff, said she believed the cameras made the road unsafe.
She added: “All the Shared Space work was aimed at making the seafront safer and promoting harmony between pedestrians and motorists.
“But all I do is keep an eye on how fast I’m driving. My attention is diverted.
“It’s also more dangerous, to be honest. You can be travelling at 20mph, but some motorists don’t want to. You can often see the anger on their faces.”
Comments(23)
v.randy
says...
9:47am Tue 26 Jun 12
I suspect that many of the poor sods caught out on the seafront are much needed visiting tourist and business people.
The 20mph zone is poorly marked and we drivers have to keep one eye on our speedo's,one eye on the bloke whose up our exhaust pipe and another eye on pedestrians walking out in front ..because there is NO crossing.
All the local speed freaks know where the cameras are and used back streets to 'open up' their lowered Saxo's.
Us locals are bombarded with dozens of signs at every set of lights and unless you stop for 5 minutes and read them all there is a good chance you are about to commit a traffic offence.
The sea front is a dogs dinner ,all the council has to do is install a proper crossing.
Instead as a pedestrian you have to stare into the whites of the drivers eye to ensure he/she will stop (20mph/30mph makes no difference,you're still dead if they don't oblige).
Don't get me wrong I have no issue with speed control as long as it is consistant.You can have 10mph limits outside schools,residential homes,down High St's etc.. no problem but make it Southend wide.
Give drivers a break ,I despise being criminalised..I'll abide by the rules if you the Council apply commonsense and logic,not this random/lottery approach to speed management.
EstuaryView
says...
10:12am Tue 26 Jun 12
This shared space with 20mph limit is very poorly conceived indeed.
It's a death trap for pedestrians and a cash trap for motorists.
Its only real purpose is to fill the this greedy council's coffers.
Another brainchild of Cllr Cox, who is one of Anna Waite's puppies and is also responsible for the hated spy cars.
Just the sort of cr@p you can expect from a man who can't even manage his own body weight.
Blind Haze
says...
10:18am Tue 26 Jun 12
PJR121
says...
10:19am Tue 26 Jun 12
Think about the wording in the headlines Echo, something like "Seafront cameras collect £33k in fines" would have been miles better...
j-w
says...
10:56am Tue 26 Jun 12
How many deaths?
reptile
says...
12:33pm Tue 26 Jun 12
asbo foundation
says...
12:45pm Tue 26 Jun 12
EstuaryView wrote:oh get over it or use a different stretch of road.
I agree with Randy above.
This shared space with 20mph limit is very poorly conceived indeed.
It's a death trap for pedestrians and a cash trap for motorists.
Its only real purpose is to fill the this greedy council's coffers.
Another brainchild of Cllr Cox, who is one of Anna Waite's puppies and is also responsible for the hated spy cars.
Just the sort of cr@p you can expect from a man who can't even manage his own body weight.
terminatorgary
says...
12:50pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Tom from Southend
says...
1:46pm Tue 26 Jun 12
shoeburylad
says...
3:36pm Tue 26 Jun 12
EstuaryView wrote:As the saying goes, you loose the argument when you have to resort to personal insults...
I agree with Randy above.
This shared space with 20mph limit is very poorly conceived indeed.
It's a death trap for pedestrians and a cash trap for motorists.
Its only real purpose is to fill the this greedy council's coffers.
Another brainchild of Cllr Cox, who is one of Anna Waite's puppies and is also responsible for the hated spy cars.
Just the sort of cr@p you can expect from a man who can't even manage his own body weight.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
4:53pm Tue 26 Jun 12
'I feel fine', 'money money money', 'ticket to ride'
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
4:54pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
5:05pm Tue 26 Jun 12
If it was impossible no-one would have been caught speeding...
Max Impact
says...
6:41pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:STOP PRESS: SHOCK AS MAX IMPACT AGREES WITH LEFTY!
This just goes to show how effective the cameras are, and is a good argument for them to be rolled out across the Southend borough.
Agree with you there (yes I really do!).... are you still there... not fallen off the chair in shock have you?
Sorry if you bumped your head on the way down.
The only people moaning will be those that have been caught and those that like to speed, as well as speed cameras I would extend CCTV camera coverage to more of the town, as well as increase ANPR cameras to cover more of the main roads in Southend.
If you don't like the cameras dont drive along the seafront. Simples for simple people.
southendshrimper
says...
7:18pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Blind Haze wrote:the photo has been taken AFTER the 20mph zone has finished.
A 20mph speed limit and the signs in the picture saying 30mph - no wonder they made so much money.
southendshrimper
says...
7:20pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Max Impact wrote:even more of a shock i agree as well, hello guys oh i'll call 999 for both of you.
Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:STOP PRESS: SHOCK AS MAX IMPACT AGREES WITH LEFTY!
This just goes to show how effective the cameras are, and is a good argument for them to be rolled out across the Southend borough.
Agree with you there (yes I really do!).... are you still there... not fallen off the chair in shock have you?
Sorry if you bumped your head on the way down.
The only people moaning will be those that have been caught and those that like to speed, as well as speed cameras I would extend CCTV camera coverage to more of the town, as well as increase ANPR cameras to cover more of the main roads in Southend.
If you don't like the cameras dont drive along the seafront. Simples for simple people.
Oh max how are your trousers?
Max Impact
says...
8:01pm Tue 26 Jun 12
v.randy
says...
10:22pm Tue 26 Jun 12
I assume these individuals blessed with the uncanny ability to adhere at all times to the numerous speed limits, enjoy equally blessed private lives.
No doubt these people have beautful wives and children,fabulous homes can make love all night and run marathons for fun, for charity;
a sort of supreme being.
Alas ,I am a mere mortal but I heed your words ,so from now on I shall avoid all roads with cameras,clearly I won't be going far ..but Hey!,think of the petrol I'll save.
asbo foundation
says...
10:33pm Tue 26 Jun 12
Max Impact wrote:no more licking please. the chippy communist's buttocks are already dripping wet clean with your tongue
Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:STOP PRESS: SHOCK AS MAX IMPACT AGREES WITH LEFTY!
This just goes to show how effective the cameras are, and is a good argument for them to be rolled out across the Southend borough.
Agree with you there (yes I really do!).... are you still there... not fallen off the chair in shock have you?
Sorry if you bumped your head on the way down.
The only people moaning will be those that have been caught and those that like to speed, as well as speed cameras I would extend CCTV camera coverage to more of the town, as well as increase ANPR cameras to cover more of the main roads in Southend.
If you don't like the cameras dont drive along the seafront. Simples for simple people.
Max Impact
says...
11:04pm Tue 26 Jun 12
asbo foundation wrote:At least I am man enough to do it!
Max Impact wrote:no more licking please. the chippy communist's buttocks are already dripping wet clean with your tongue
Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:STOP PRESS: SHOCK AS MAX IMPACT AGREES WITH LEFTY!
This just goes to show how effective the cameras are, and is a good argument for them to be rolled out across the Southend borough.
Agree with you there (yes I really do!).... are you still there... not fallen off the chair in shock have you?
Sorry if you bumped your head on the way down.
The only people moaning will be those that have been caught and those that like to speed, as well as speed cameras I would extend CCTV camera coverage to more of the town, as well as increase ANPR cameras to cover more of the main roads in Southend.
If you don't like the cameras dont drive along the seafront. Simples for simple people.
southendshrimper
says...
6:26pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Max Impact wrote:very good......
Still ripped the wife told me to ....
E -Types
says...
6:50pm Sun 1 Jul 12
howironic says...
9:18am Tue 26 Jun 12