Shropshire Star

Telford & Wrekin Council welcomes new speed cameras on busy roads in Lawley

Speed cameras have been installed on two main roads in Telford after residents raised concerns about dangerous driving.

Published
Councillor Raj Mehta and councillor Paul Watling in front of the speed camera in West Centre Way, Lawley

Telford & Wrekin Council has put up cameras on Lawley Drive and West Centre Way in Lawley in a bid to stop drivers breaking the speed limits and running red lights.

The cameras have been funded as part of a £350,000 investment into Lawley, part of the council’s wider On Your Side investment programme.

The Lawley Partnership Board – set up to help develop one of the borough’s largest new housing developments – has been prioritising speeding concerns and how to tackle them.

Evidence gathered by West Mercia Police, who is a member on the board, showed there was a need for cameras which will help reduce the risk of accidents.

Paul Davis, chair of the Lawley Partnership Board, said: "The issue of speeding across Lawley has been a concern of many residents for some time and addressing it has been a focus of the Lawley Partnership Board.

"By listening to residents and working with our partners, we are delivering a plan to improve road safety and curb anti-social driving.

“The vital investment from Telford & Wrekin Council has ensured that through a combination of fixed cameras and mobile speed indicator devices, we can target and deter speeding, both on trunk roads and across the wider parish.

“I'd like to thank all members of the partnership for making this issue a priority and once again delivering for Lawley and our residents."

Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities said: “Telford & Wrekin Council takes residents’ concerns over road safety extremely seriously.

"The installation of speed cameras is a direct response to feedback from residents worried about excess speed. They are part of a package of road safety measures we are funding through a major investment into Lawley which is one of Telford & Wrekin’s new communities.

“We have worked with the police to identify the most appropriate measures to tackle speeding drivers and those who ignore red lights. These drivers are putting other road users and pedestrians at risk and that is why we are taking action.

“Speed cameras help make our roads safer by encouraging drivers to be responsible and they should only be a burden for those who refuse to stick to the limits.”

In addition to the cameras, Telford & Wrekin Council is funding more speed indicator devices which display a vehicle’s speed as it approaches.

These mobile devices will be used by Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, a member of the partnership, to deal with specific speeding concerns.

Councillor Raj Mehta, chair of Lawley and Overdale Parish Council, said: “I am delighted that concerns highlighted by residents have been listened to. The speed cameras will improve road safety for everyone in this community.

“I would urge drivers to be responsible and not put lives at risk by breaking the speed limit or ignoring red lights.”

Additionally, pupils at Lawley Primary and Lawley Village Primary Academy have designed a number of road safety signs which will be put up outside their school.