Police cameras set to catch speeding motorcyclists on A32 and A272. This was published in the Hampshire Chronicle: https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/19853016.police-cameras-set-c…
NOISY speeding motorcycles are set to be tackled on two major Hampshire roads.
The Police and Crime Commissioner and Hampshire police are investing in speed camera technology to tackle persistent noise and speeding.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has agreed £677,000 for Hampshire Constabulary to buy 'average speed' cameras for the A32 and A272.
Since her election last May, Ms Jones has received consistent complaints from villagers along the A32 in the Meon Valley and A272 near Alresford.
Analysis by the police has shown that new technology is needed to tackle speeding, noise and other road offences. This includes average speed cameras to reduce speed and noise, and new cameras that stop motorists speeding through changing traffic lights and breaking speed limits as they pass through the lights.
There have been problems with excessive vehicle noise and speeding in the Meon Valley for a number of years but the new cameras will make it easier to catch offenders.
The cameras, set to be introduced by the end of the year, will provide a 24/7 permanent digital enforcement solution to tackle the noise and speed. Hampshire Constabulary will continue to support the use of the cameras with marked and unmarked patrols, mobile speed camera vans and enforcement operations where other offences are picked up, such as illegal exhausts.
Ms Jones said: “Since being elected I have received consistent complaints from residents in the surrounding areas of the A32 and A272 in Meon Valley about the excessive motorbike noise and speeding, which is having a detrimental impact on their lives. I have listened to those concerns and the funding of these new cameras is a big step forward in delivering on my commitment to those residents to reduce the excessive noise and speeding.
“This investment is a result of significant analysis and work by Hampshire Constabulary and follows close working with local MPs, councillors and parish councillors who have all expressed their concerns on behalf of local residents and communities."
Chief Superintendent Darren O’Callaghan said: “The A32 and A272 are high casualty routes within Hampshire and they are policed by the Roads Policing Unit as a priority.We are supportive of this measure as a way of discouraging any illegal use of these routes, to lessen the impact on local communities and to improve safety.
“We are also conscious that speed cameras alone will not solve the dangerous and anti-social use of the roads. This is why we will continue to conduct marked and unmarked patrols, use mobile speed cameras and conduct enforcement operations targeting illegal and nonconforming exhaust systems and the Fatal 4 contributors to incidents on our roads.”
Flick Drummond, MP for Meon Valley, said: “I am really pleased the Police and Crime Commissioner has proposed this measure.
“Average speed cameras on the A32 and A272 will be a very effective and welcome weapon in the armoury of the police.
“These are roads where speeding has been a dangerous problem for many years along with anti-social motorbike noise that causes so much anguish. The installation of the cameras recognises these two problems - that often go hand in hand - need to be addressed. I would like to thank Donna for her work and action on this issue.”
