Politics & Council · Swindon
Swindon's ANPR speed-monitoring cameras set to go live in November
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Swindon Borough Council has confirmed that a pilot scheme using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to monitor traffic speeds will formally commence on Monday, November 2.
A long-awaited pilot scheme using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor vehicle speeds and traffic patterns is set to go live across Swindon on Monday, November 2, following the finalisation of governance and data protection policies.
The initiative, which was temporarily suspended by the new Conservative administration at Swindon Borough Council to ensure proper oversight, aims to provide the local authority with accurate data regarding road safety. The scheme will operate across five key locations, covering routes where residents have previously raised concerns about speeding and traffic volume.
Camera locations confirmed
The monitoring pilot will be active at the following five sites:
Okus Road
Croft Road
Akers Way
Grange Drive
Homington Avenue
The site at Homington Avenue, situated near Badbury Park Primary School, has been a particular point of focus for local residents and councillors. Concerns regarding safety in that area were recently raised during a Full Council meeting, with requests made for further engagement between the council and the school community.
Policy and next steps
Councillor Nick Gardiner, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, confirmed that the cameras are currently undergoing calibration this week. Subject to final checks ensuring that data is being received correctly from all five units, the system will become fully operational next week.
The council intends to use the information gathered by the cameras to better understand local traffic trends and inform future decisions on infrastructure and road safety improvements. Under the terms of the pilot, vehicles identified as travelling over the speed limit may be subject to warning letters, with data also being available to share with the police where necessary.
Councillor Gardiner acknowledged the delays in launching the project but emphasised the importance of having a robust policy framework in place. He stated that the data collection is a vital step in responding to the regular concerns raised by residents about safety on Swindon's roads.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original