Two local routes that are accident blackspots are to be fitted with average speed cameras.



A seven and a half mile stretch of the A583 Preston New Road from the M55 at Junction 3 to Blackpool Road at Preston Old Road, as well as a two mile section of Head Dyke Lane in Pilling will have cameras installed by the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership.

Bosses have decided to adopt the system as safety records have improved on a variety of road types using the system in other parts of the UK.

The cameras will use number plate recognition technology to detect vehicles and calculate their average speed by measuring the time taken to travel between fixed points.

They should be operational by the end of the year.

Average Speed Check signage will be used to inform drivers that they are entering an average speed control zone.

The introduction of the system is intended to positively influence driver behaviour and ensure that motorists comply with the set limits on roads, resulting in a safer environment for all road users.

Lancashire Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Tim Jacques, Chair of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership, said: "We don't want to catch you speeding. Our primary aim is for all drivers to adhere to the safe speed limits on our roads, and these particular roads are proven to be amongst some of our most dangerous.

"It is well researched and documented that speeding can kill, but we know that a combination of education, engineering and enforcement can change behaviours and save lives. This is particularly important where there are recurring problems.

"The Partnership vision, 'Towards Zero', is that we work towards preventing all collisions that result in death or serious injury. Using clearly signed average speed cameras will play a vital role as part of this vision."

Research by the RAC Foundation showed that the numbers of fatal and serious collisions decreases by around a third after average speed cameras are introduced. As part of the LRSP's average speed project, research will be conducted to review speed data, traffic flow and casualty information on all of the routes.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said: "In an ideal world drivers would observe the speed limit and we would never have speed related casualties and deaths; but we all know that that is not the case. The casualty toll on these routes has to be tackled and therefore I am pleased that the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership is investing to make these routes safer for all. Evidence shows that speed is often a factor in road deaths and serious collisions, so these measures should help to save lives."

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Our roads have become much safer over the past decade with far fewer casualties overall.

"However there are particular roads where the record of speed related casualties remains high, despite considerable investment in targeted safety engineering measures.

"The evidence suggests that average speed cameras will help to tackle this problem, and I look forward to these roads becoming safer following their introduction."

The proposed routes chosen by the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership have been based on the following criteria:

" There is a history of collisions and casualties within the routes.
" Speed surveys indicate that speeding vehicles is an issue.
" Some of the routes have been identified as needing action around speed and road safety issues, but there aren't any other realistic or appropriate enforcement options.

There will be sanctions for anyone detected breaching the speed limits, where eligible they will be given the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course to learn about the dangers of speeding, accept a conditional offer of a fixed penalty or for higher speeds the matter may be referred to court.