SPEED
CAMERAS
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? |
Iain Dale, Prospective Conservative Candidate for North
Norfolk, today called for greater openness and transparency on the money made from speed
camera fines. The Government has dodged questions in Parliament on how many speed cameras
there now are in Britain and where the money is going. He also called for all speed
cameras on Norfolk roads to be dismantled unless they are located at accident blackspots.
Iain said: "There is growing concern that cameras are being used to raise
revenue rather than for their original purpose to improve road safety. Questions are being
raised about whether they are actually being used to reduce accidents. The Government's
claim that they do not know how many speed cameras there are is either a sign of deceit or
incompetence."
Iain also called for greater public scrutiny of the accounts of the Safety Camera
Partnership accounts across Norfolk. "The public deserve to be told how many speed
cameras there are across Norfolk, how much they are raising, and where the money is going.
There needs to be a public debate on the accounts of these Safety Camera
Partnerships."
Outlining Conservative policies, Iain added, "Conservatives believe that cameras
should be positioned in genuine accident black spots or where there are obvious dangers
such as outside schools. We want to see an independent audit of how many cameras there are
and where they are plaiced. "We will also abolish these revenue-sharing partnerships
and we will review speed limits - such as raising the motorway limit to 80 mph and
reducing limits outside schools, for example, to 20mph." |
Great Truth:
Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn
at once how big and precious it is.
K Jackson |
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| READERS
LETTER |
Dear Editor
I do not usually write to publications such as yours, but I feel so strongly about some
things in Sheringham I really must do something. The ongoing and totally ridiculous
question about Budgens versus Tescos in Sheringham, I feel could have been very easily
solved. Quite simply, using the electoral roll held at the Council Offices, a
questionairre should have been sent to each person of voting age in Sheringham with a pre
paid return envelope.
Once all the votes were in, then the requirements of the PEOPLE of Sheringham would have
been known. Then the Council could have thrashed out the planning details. This surely
would have cost less in the long run and a true picture could have been reached. We do
after all live in a democratic society (allegedly).
I personally feel that the Budgens foodstore which has now been agreed is the one which
will damage Sheringham the most. The impact it will have on local trade will be far
greater as no-one will be able to park, therefore logically there will be less shoppers.
Tourists will be less likely to visit as they will have to resort to parking further out
of town. They wont bother and will merely drive on to Cromer where there is more than
enough car parking for them to visit an equally nice beach and shopping centre more
easily.
Furthermore, I think that the impact on the North Norfolk Railway has not been considered.
A great deal of money has been spent making the platform an enjoyable place to wander on,
but it will now overlook a service area for a supermarket, very congenial!
Yours sincerely, P Latimer. |
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