A number of permanent speed cameras on the Isle of Wight are set to be removed within the next few days.
It is well known amongst local motorists that the bright yellow and blue cameras haven’t worked for years – but now the niggling doubt as to whether they will flash up or not will be gone as at least 3 of the cameras are to be taken away.
Island Roads will be working over the next few days to remove the cameras at High Street in Wootton, Victoria Avenue in Shanklin and Sandown Road in Shanklin. The cameras were installed around the year 2004 – some 16 years ago.
It is currently unclear if 5 other cameras at St John’s Hill in Ryde, Horsebridge Hill in Newport and Newport Road in Lake will also be removed in due course.
None of the speed cameras are expected to be replaced.
Data from the TVP Hampshire Accident Site shows how many road traffic incidents have occurred in the areas surrounding the speed cameras in recent years.
St Johns Hill, Ryde
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| casualties | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Offence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
Victoria Avenue, Shanklin (to be removed)
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| casualties | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Offence | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
Sandown Road, Shanklin (to be removed)
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| casualties | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Offence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
Newport Road, Lake
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 2 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| casualties | 2 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Offence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
High Street, Wootton (to be removed)
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| casualties | 2 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Offence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
Horsebridge Hill, Newport
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collisions | 8 | 8 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| casualties | 11 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 6 | 0 |
| Offence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
* Denotes incomplete year
UPDATE WEDNESDAY – It has been confirmed that all 8 camera housing units will be removed across the Island.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said:
“The speed cameras have not been functional and active for a number of years at these fixed locations, as the police have instead favoured the use of mobile cameras deployed in vans.
“Based on a recent inspection, the housing units have reached the end of their serviceable life and the condition of the casings is such that they now require replacement.
“Rather than meet the cost of installing and maintaining empty casings, the Isle of Wight Council has agreed that all speed camera housing units on the Island will be removed.”
UPDATE 13TH JANUARY – Remaining speed cameras at Newport Road, Lake; Horsebridge Hill, Newport and St John’s Road, Ryde are all being removed this week.
Waste of money. So how do you catch the speeding cars now? Especially those that are driving under the influence of drugs. The island is worst than the mainland. What is going on?
The cameras were turned off years ago. This won’t make any difference. The police will still be using the pop up cameras as they have been already.
Have you not seen the speed camera vans regularly parked around the island?
As bad as mainland???? Really,, Don’t know what world you live in but it certainly isn’t this one
“So how do you catch the speeding cars now? Especially those that are driving under the influence of drugs” ???
Its a speed camera …. not a ruddy drug camera.
It’s ‘none IS …’, not ‘none ARE…’
You should know better!
SORRY TEACHER BRING YOU IN AN APPLE TOMMOROW PLEASE DONT GIVE ME LINES OR DETENTION LOL
I think the dummy cameras are a deterrent to speeder’s as all map app still show them. As for the Police Van for speeding, tax and insurance evaders I have seen quite a few times in different hot spot areas.
I take your point about their deterrent capabilities but am not sure if they are the right tool for the job.
Dummy cameras (and live ones) cause panic braking amongst speeders and non-speeders alike and have been shown to actually increase the number of accidents in some areas.
Automatic “slow down” signs produce a more controlled and safer response from those drivers not intentionally speeding.
As for those who intentionally drive dangerously, the appropriate and targeted use of mobile camera vans can be a very effective deterrent.
Speed limits on the Island are a farce they are just not enforced. ‘They’ just park a van and occasionally catch a few, usually just inside the limited areas.
The van isn’t even run by Police it’s the Transport department. Just a money making scheme. Why are they not on duel carriageway.
Why remove I never knew they didn’t work. I’m sure many a tourist doesn’t know they don’t work either.
Why can’t they just switch them on again