Watch out! There's a speed camera van hiding behind that bush

The debate on speed cameras has reopened again after Shropshire Star reader Mark Burrows snapped these pics of a mobile van on Holyhead Road in Ketley, Telford.

He claims it is "unethical" because drivers would not have been able to see the van, obscured behind a bush, until it is too late.

Mr Burrows, who works for home improvement firm R&R Services in Priorslee, said he did not think he was over the speed limit when he went past the van.

But he stopped to give the camera operator a piece of his mind anyway – and has vowed to contest any fine which comes his way.

"It's pretty clear that the location of this speed van is being camouflaged by the bushes and its position off the road, if this is not illegal it seems unethical and is possibly bordering on entrapment," he said.

[breakout title="Star comment: Hidden speed

trap a sore point" align="right"]Some of the vast amount of money being extracted from motorists comes in the form of speeding fines.

There is something akin to a game on our roads. Drivers slow down if they see speed cameras. Then, more likely than not, they will speed up again.

Under the rules of this game drivers have a concept of what is fair and what is not.

So, is having the speed camera van parked among some bushes within the rules?

That is the issue that has arisen in relation to one of the vans which has parked in Holyhead Road at Oakengates. There are bushes in front and bushes behind.

Hiding is inherently sneaky.

But the operators say that it is visible to motorists travelling in both directions.

Now, if you are observing the 30mph limit at this point, then it is of no consequence whether you can see the van or not. You are legal and will not get a fine.

However, anybody who knows this particular road, which is the old A5 main route, also knows that if they stick to 30mph they are liable to be angrily – perhaps dangerously – overtaken.

"I don't think I have a speeding fine but on such a long road to creep over 30mph is always a possibility.

"Is any vehicle driver one or two miles over the limit seriously running a higher risk of killing people?

"I firmly believe anyone driving in a manner than risks people's safety should be fined and pay the relevant penalty.

"But it should be done within the guidelines.

"I told the van operator that I will contest any fine issued with his lack of visibility which I believed was against government guidelines."

But Anna Higgins, communications manager for the West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership, insisted the van on Holyhead Road was operating legally and visible to motorists travelling in both directions.

"Enforcement activity is being carried out from a safe and suitable location, which doesn't obstruct the footpath or the entrance and exit to the car park," she said.

"Under guidelines, we enforce at 10 per cent plus 2mph over the speed limit.

"Therefore, motorists will not receive a speeding ticket unless they are travelling at 35mph or above which is an unacceptable speed in a 30mph area.

"We carry out enforcement activity in Holyhead Road in direct response to concerns raised by the local community about speeding traffic, which is having a detrimental effect on their quality of life.

"Enforcement activity aims to improve the safety of the road for all those who use it and improve the quality of life for people living in the area."