A shocking new research study has found that 46% of speed cameras in England may not even be operational.
This equates to almost half of all the speed cameras currently on England’s roads.
The research – which comes from dash camera manufacturer, Road Angel, and is all according to freedom of information requests (FOI) answered by 25 out of 44 UK police forces – found that, despite the fact most motorists will immediately adjust and lower their speed the second we see a bright yellow speed camera, we probably don’t need to do so as there’s nearly a 50% chance the camera’s not even working anyway.
When it comes to the areas of England where the least speed cameras are in operation, Northamptonshire has come out on top, as the research found that all eight fixed speed cameras in the region were inactive.
Derbyshire has more fixed speed cameras out of action than any other region (93), with only 20 of the 113 across the county capable of catching speeding motorists.
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Along with Derbyshire, Essex (110), and Devon and Cornwall (110), are the regions with the highest number of fixed speed cameras – however, each region currently has at least 40% incapable of catching speeding drivers.
Staggeringly, only two police forces that responded to the FOI request had all speed cameras working.
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At the other end of the spectrum, all speed cameras in Suffolk are operational, with the next best region being the West Midlands – which currently has only 5% of its speed cameras standing inactive, meaning that 62 out of 65 devices are currently operational.
“If a camera is inactive and remains so for many months or even years at a time then it begs the question, why is it there?,” Road Angel founder, Gary Digva, commented on the findings from the new research study.
“Yes, it may still play a part in encouraging traffic to slow down, but it could also act to distract drivers and potentially cause an accident.
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It’s all according to freedom of information requests (FOI) answered by 25 out of 44 UK police forces / Credit: Jenoptik & TfGM
“Our view is that if cameras are present then drivers should be able to feel assured that they are working. If they are non-operational then they should be removed, and that is why we are calling on police forces and local authorities across the country to carry out an audit of cameras and remove any non-operational devices as quickly as possible.”
Speeding drivers were warned they’re more likely get caught, as although these new ‘spot speed’ VECTOR-SR cameras – which are developed by Jenoptik, and have been funded through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF) – are are also painted an eye-catching bright yellow and will be in operation 24/7 like the speed cameras were all familiar with, they do work slightly differently.
Unlike older-style cameras, these new ‘ultra’ speed cameras don’t require painted lines on the road, and also use infra-red low-light technology – which means they no longer ‘flash’ at speeding drivers.
Featured Image – The RAC
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Co-op Live confirms cancellations caused by part of air conditioning unit ‘falling from ceiling’
Daisy Jackson
The Co-op Live arena has confirmed the cause of tonight’s last-minute gig cancellation and subsequent postponement of future shows.
Reports said that an object had ‘fallen from the ceiling’ before doors to the public officially opened.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that ‘a component of the air conditioning system’ separated from the ductwork, and stressed that no one was injured.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the artist who was meant to perform tonight, had said that ‘something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today’.
Oak View Group, which owns the venue, said that it had ‘made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue to postpone the performance’.
Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group said: “The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.
“Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision.
“I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.”
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
The rest of the nozzles inside the huge arena will now be tested for similar defects.
They said in a statement: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Olivia Rodrigo’s two Manchester shows at Co-op Live have been postponed
Daisy Jackson
Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at Co-op Live in Manchester have been postponed after a night of drama for the new arena.
The star was meant to bring her GUTS Tour to the city on Friday and Saturday night.
But the huge 23,500-capacity arena has now confirmed that both of these gigs will be postponed.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed.
“Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public tonight with a performance by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
Credit: Nick WalkerCredit: Larissa HofmannOlivia Rodrigo’s gigs in Manchester at Co-op Live have been postponed.
But it was called off at the eleventh hour, with fans turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was that a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system had ‘separated from the ductwork’.
Rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
Olivia Rodrigo has yet to issue a statement about her Manchester shows on 3 and 4 May being postponed.