MINUTES of the Meeting of the SAFETY CAMERAS TOPIC GROUP Held On

MINUTES of the Meeting of the SAFETY CAMERAS TOPIC GROUP Held On

MINUTES of the meeting of the SAFETY CAMERAS TOPIC GROUP held on

24 APRIL 2006

ATTENDANCE

Members of the Topic Group:

A D Dodd (Chairman), M Cowan, M E Coxage,

Also present: N.E. Agar

Officers:

David Moses, Head of Scrutiny

Theresa Casbard, Head of Road Safety

Paul Selley, Strategy Development Manager (Safety Engineering)

David Roberts, Head of Democratic Services

1. / MINUTES
The minutes of the Topic Group meeting held on 10 March 2006 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the insertion of the surname of the Police representative mentioned in the fourth paragraph of Minute 2.
In connection with Minute 3 documents were tabled at the meeting in response to the Topic Group’s request for financial information on the costs of investigating camera sites and associated activities. The Topic Group requested that this information be circulated with the agenda for the next meeting.
Members of the Topic Group were disappointed that there was no representative of the Highways Agency at the meeting and asked officers to write to request the Agency send a representative to a future meeting to give the Topic Group the opportunity to ask questions about the use of safety cameras on roads under the Agency’s control.
In connection with Minute 4, copies of the Road Safety Plan Review document were circulated at the meeting following information from the Chairman concerning statistics that he had received from the Police. Page 10 was highlighted showing that the Highways Agency share of collisions in the county was 25%. Page18 was also highlighted, showing charts of Killed and Seriously injured casualties. The Topic Group asked that all the documents tabled be circulated with the agenda for the next meeting as Members were unable to digest the information at such short notice. / Neil Terry
Theresa Casbard
David Moses/ David Roberts
Theresa Casbard/ Neil Terry
2. / COLLISIONAND SPEED DATA FROM HIGHWAYS AGENCY ROADS IN HERTFORDSHIRE
The Topic Groupviewed large maps showing collisions plotted by location on Highways Agency roads (M1, M10, M25, A1(M), A10, A5, and A405[part]).
Members noted in particular the large number of collisions on the M1 in Hertfordshire and noted that these were counted in the assessment of the County Council performance in reducing collisions.
3. / ADDITIONAL CAMERA STATISTICS: COLLISION NUMBERS PRIOR TO AND POST, CAMERA INSTALLATIONS
Copies of a spreadsheet were circulated showing Killed and Seriously Injured (KSI) collision figures for each camera site.
Members noted there had been significant reductions in KSI collisions at all types of site.
The database now in use by the Partnership enabled effectiveness of each camera location to be monitored.
It was noted that it was not proposed to remove any of the current cameras.
Following discussion on the statistics the Topic Group:
  • Requested that details of the new camera sites under consideration be circulated to Members of the Group; and,
  • Suggested that officers should produce an annual report on the work of the Safety Camera Partnership.
/ Theresa Casbard
4. / TOPIC GROUP FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Head of Scrutiny invited the Group to commence consideration of possible findings and recommendations for inclusion in its final report. He suggested the following for consideration:
  1. Cameras are located in accordance with strict criteria on an equitable basis across the County.
  1. Cameras are not installed to produce revenue but to reduce accidents.
  1. Cameras are an effective tool to help reduce accidents.
  1. There are concerns about:
  2. Lack of engagement to date by the Highways Agency
  3. The County Council has targets for HA roads but no powers to influence them.
  4. New funding arrangements could be used by the Highways Authority to fund other road schemes.
  1. The Partnership should produce an annual report for consideration by the Highways and Transport Panel.
The Topic Group agreed to consider the above proposals at its next meeting. / All
5. / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Topic Group agreed that the next meeting should take place on Wednesday 31 May 2006 at 2.00 p.m. and should consider an outline draft of its final report. / David Moses/ Neil Terry

060424 minutes1

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