Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Speed Cameras Installation Criteria 2025-06-24

24 June 2025 · 8 other contributors

Opened by Lisa Smart LD Hazel Grove

Transport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Lisa Smart raised concerns about speed cameras installation criteria 2025-06-24 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about inadequate road safety measures in constituencies
  • Provisional estimates indicate 1,633 people were killed on Britain's roads the previous year, with 56% of fatal crashes involving speed
  • Speed cameras are reported to reduce serious crashes by up to 42% in areas where they are installed

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Lisa Smart LD Hazel Grove

Too many of my constituents feel they are being left to fend for themselves on unsafe roads. They report repeated speeding, but nothing changes until someone is seriously hurt or worse. Provisional estimates suggest that 1,633 people were killed on Britain’s roads last year, with 56% of fatal road collisions involving speed-related factors. My constituency has areas without pavements where pedestrians are at risk from speeding vehicles. Speed cameras work—areas with cameras see up to a 42% drop in serious crashes. I ask the Government to move to a proactive approach for camera placement and update national guidance to reflect this, making it easier for communities to get speed cameras based on data.

Other contributors (8)
  • Tom Gordon LD Harrogate and Knaresborough

    In rural areas like mine, there needs to be a proactive stance to ensure that where there are no footpaths or pavements, people are not at risk from speeding vehicles.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The oversaturation of speed cameras in some areas and underusage in others has led to the public losing confidence in them as a tool for road safety, seeing it instead as a revenue-raising exercise.

  • Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen

    We need faster mechanisms to agree who pays for speed cameras so that we can move quickly to make the people of Halesowen and Quarry Bank feel safe.

  • Tessa Munt LD Wells and Mendip Hills

    It should not be up to individuals, like Chris who lost his wife Lorraine in a road accident, to fund speeding signs themselves. Communities need proper funding for preventive action.

  • Alex Ballinger Lab Dudley North

    Called for average speed cameras in areas affected by street racing.

  • Tom Gordon LD Richmond Park

    Emphasised the importance of community speed watch groups in rural communities.

  • Tessa Munt LD Wells

    Questioned the police advice that drivers have to be close to 20 mph before a limit is accepted, which stifles implementation near schools and towns.

  • Unknown Unknown

    Additional points or support from other MPs not provided in the given text.

Government Response

Title

The Minister's response was not provided in the transcript. The debate ended with interventions from other MPs and did not include a formal ministerial statement or reply addressing the issues raised by Lisa Smart. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport acknowledged the importance of improving road safety and addressed the hon. Member's concerns about speed camera installation criteria. She highlighted that her Department’s guidance is not mandatory but encourages local authorities to develop their own deployment criteria based on local needs and evidence. While she agreed with the need for a more proactive approach, she did not commit to updating national guidance immediately but assured Members of reflecting on their contributions. The Minister reiterated that local authorities already have the power to take proactive measures where there is high risk and community support, emphasising that 20 mph limits should be set based on evidence and local consent. We treat road safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads. The Department is developing a new road safety strategy that aims to address identified issues such as speeding and community engagement through schemes like Community Speedwatch. The government will continue to work closely with local authorities and police forces to implement effective measures for improving road safety. We are aiming to publish the strategy by the end of the year, which will include specific details on funding allocations and policy commitments aimed at enhancing road safety across the country.

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