Agenda item

Tara O’Shea-Safer Speed & Enforcement Team Leader presented the item – Chief Superintendent Simon Alland of Kent Police was also in attendance.

1)    The report highlighted the 53 mobile cameras sites across all networks. These included speed cameras, red light cameras and average speed cameras.

2)    One of the most significant achievements of the partnership had been a sustained and measurable improvement to road safety. Over the past 20 years camera-monitored locations had seen an average reduction of 48% in the most severe injury crashes. The observed reductions had reinforced the importance of continued investment into the systems.

3)    In 2016 the partnership had initiated a programme to upgrade outdated wet film cameras to a modern digital enforcement camera system. The transition was aimed to improve reliability, data accuracy, and long-term operational efficiency. The upgraded process was successfully completed in 2023 and would ensure that all enforcement tools were now fit for purpose and had strengthened the overall enforcement strategy.

4)    It was recognised that revenue generated from speeding fines was not retained by local authorities as all funds were directed to the treasury’s consolidated fund. It was stated that there was limited financial incentive for enforcement at the local level. When new traffic camera sites were proposed, local authorities would be then required to self-fund both the capital investment and ongoing operational costs. Overall expenses would be typically covered through the authority’s existing Local Transport Plan allocation (LTP).

5)    Enforcement required the full support of Kent Police in terms of back-office processing. Maintenance responsibilities would be shared by the relevant highway authority. Cost would be offset through the NDORS scheme. Officers highlighted the ongoing efforts to support a data-driven, community-responsive approach focused on saving lives.

6)    Members expressed concern over the recent rise in anti-social driving behaviours and the challenges faced when reporting problematic areas. Officers clarified that responsibility for the placement of traffic camera sites would rest with the local highway authorities.

7)    Mr Prater proposed that an annual report be presented to the cabinet committee to review the number of traffic offences recorded across the county and would enable a clearer understanding of functioning and non-functioning cameras, as well as identify key traffic issue hotspots. The Member also highlighted the challenges encountered when requesting statistics for specific camera sites.

8)    Officers acknowledged Members frustrations in regard to the availability of offence data and confirmed that the supporting Kent County Council website would soon be updated to include the required information.  Chief Superintendent Alland also addressed Members’ concerns, noting that police-related data for specific districts would be made available upon request.

9)    The discussion explored proactive versus reactive approaches to preventing road traffic accidents. Members raised concerns regarding budget constraints, the process for reviewing camera placements, the volume of funds directed to central government from enforcement activities, and the financial implications of installing additional cameras.

10)Officers responded by emphasising the need for a more agile and targeted approach to road safety. Financial resources would be reviewed to support the development of a camera deployment programme. A collaborative review of crash sites and areas of concern would be undertaken jointly by Kent Police and KCC. It was clarified that decisions regarding camera placements rest with the local authority, subject to review by Kent Police and the Department for Transport. (DfT)

11)Members suggested that lobbying central government could help enable traffic cameras to become more self-funded. In response, Officers noted that a group of transport professionals had recently submitted a document to government that proposed that revenue from fines be redistributed in a way that more comprehensively supported both local authorities and the Police.

RESOLVED to note the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership Overview