A speed camera in Devon has triggered a major backlash from local drivers after it was revealed to have issued nearly 6,000 penalty notices within its first eight weeks of operation.
Camera Sparks Community Outrage
According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information request, the device on Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot, Devon was activated in August. By October 10, it had recorded nearly 6,000 speeding offences in the 30mph zone.
Angry motorists have branded it Britain's 'most lucrative' speed camera, complaining that the device is partially concealed behind bushes and that warning signs are insufficient. A Facebook group named 'A383 Ashburton Road speed camera victims' has rapidly gained members, with many sharing their frustration about receiving multiple fines.
One distressed driver posted: 'Just had 4 fines. 2 in one day! I didn't see the sign for camera… I will lose my licence. Can anyone help with advice. I'm heartbroken.'
Another commented: 'I would like to think that I am safety conscious… However got caught here twice in one week.'
A third suggested collective action: 'We should all get together and fight this… as a group we might stand a chance.'
Police Defend Safety Measures
Devon and Cornwall Police have firmly defended the camera's installation despite the public outcry. Authorities pointed to nine injury collisions occurring on the road between 2019 and 2023, including three that were serious.
The police force stated that residents were asked to trim back foliage before enforcement began and that the camera's location received widespread publicity. They noted that 'Devon Live and the Mid Devon Advertiser were tagged and both ran stories on it. The post alone was viewed over 350,000 times'.
In a joint statement with Devon County Council, the police emphasised that the road has always been a 30mph zone and passes close to a children's play park, family centre, sheltered housing, and two secondary schools.
Legal Perspective on Challenging Fines
Dominic Smith, Director of Patterson Law, provided legal context, noting that 'the speed limit has always been 30mph on the road and is denoted by a system of street lighting, so any arguments about poor signage will fall on deaf ears.'
He further explained that 'there is no legal requirement for the police to put a speed camera in plain sight, so whether it is hidden is irrelevant.' Smith advised motorists facing significant hardship from disqualification to 'seek urgent legal advice on how to take their cases to Court and argue their case.'
Both Devon County Council and Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that neither organisation receives any revenue from speed camera fines, maintaining that their primary concern is road safety and reducing serious collisions.
