Labour Looks to Generate Revenue from Motorists 

In plans to go before Cabinet tomorrow Labour controlled DCC are to give the go-ahead to a £1million scheme that will digitise 70 of the county and city's speed cameras. The controversial move will bring 60 cameras that are currently defunct back into use. 

Councillor Simon Spencer, shadow cabinet member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said

'This is a significant change in direction for the county and city and one that concerns me greatly. We recognise the need to reduce speed and accidents throughout the county and believe the best way is in educating motorists - not penalising them. What concerns me is that Labour councils are using this as a way of fattening the coffers rather than looking at where savings need to made.' 

Background

The plans to go before cabinet show that the Derbyshire County Council will spend over £600,000 whilst Derby City will spend £300,000 to install wireless digital cameras that will immediately generate violation notices to drivers from a central system. 

Speed cameras are capable of generating significant revenues for local authorities with a single notable local example in Nottinghamshire on the A610 generating around £1million pounds per annum. 

Councillor Simon Spencer (Conservative) was the former Cabinet Member for Highways at Derbyshire County Council until May 2013.