‘Most Lucrative’ Speed Camera Sparks Fury in Devon
A speed camera installed on a busy road in Devon has been labelled the UK's 'most lucrative' after it caught nearly 6,000 speeding motorists in just eight weeks. The device, situated on Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot, was activated in August and had recorded the staggering number of offences by October 10th, according to data from a Freedom of Information request.
Local Outrage and 'Hidden' Camera Claims
The camera has ignited fury among local drivers, who argue it is sneakily hidden behind foliage and that warning signs are not sufficiently clear. A dedicated Facebook group named 'A383 Ashburton Road speed camera victims' has been created, becoming a hub for disgruntled motorists to share their experiences and seek advice.
One distressed driver posted, "Just had 4 fines. 2 in one day! I didn't see the sign for camera. I was going between 34 and 38. Only ever had 3 points in 35 years. I will lose my licence." Another long-term driver with a clean record for 24 years expressed shock at being caught twice in a single week.
Further complaints questioned the camera's legality, with one resident noting, "Sure this camera falls foul somewhere? Its not in a yellow box for a start its strapped to a lamp post?" The sentiment of collective action was strong, with calls for the group to challenge the fines together.
Police and Council Defend Safety Measure
In a robust defence, Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon County Council pointed to the road's serious collision history. A joint statement revealed that nine injury collisions, including three serious incidents, were recorded on this stretch of the A383 between 2019 and 2023. Alarmingly, seven of these involved vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
The authorities emphasised that the camera was installed after speed surveys found dangerously high traffic speeds, with vehicles often travelling between 40mph and 53mph overnight in the 30mph zone. They stated that advanced warning was given through social media, with a Facebook post reaching over 350,000 people, and that local news outlets ran stories on the camera's activation.
Police also confirmed that they requested landowners to cut back obstructing hedges, which was done before enforcement began. They reiterated that neither the police nor the council receives any revenue from the fines, which are part of the Vision Zero South West partnership aiming to halve serious collisions by 2030.
Legal Perspective for Motorists
Dominic Smith, director of Patterson Law, offered a sobering legal view for those contesting the fines. He explained that the 30mph limit is legally denoted by the system of street lighting, making arguments about poor signage likely to fail. He also noted there is no legal requirement for speed cameras to be in plain sight.
His advice to drivers facing significant hardship, such as licence loss, was to seek urgent legal advice to build a case for court. The high number of fines, while controversial, validates the authorities' concerns about speeding on a road close to a children's play park, a family centre, sheltered housing, and two secondary schools.
