New average speed cameras to be switched on across the Black Country

The Average Speed Enforcement cameras will go live tomorrow and aim to enforce speed limits, reduce accidents and clamp down on careless drivers and anti-social behaviour across the region.

Cameras will be switched on at the following locations:

• Wolverhampton: A449 Stafford Road and A4444 Black Country New Road

• Walsall: A34 Birmingham Road, A4444 Black Country New Road, A4148 Broadway North and A41 Black Country New Road, Moxley to Dangerfield

• Dudley: A4123 Birmingham New Road and A458 The Hayes/Park Rd/Drews Holloway/Stourbridge Rd (Lye to Halesowen)

• Sandwell: A34 Birmingham Rd (between Scott Arms and Walsall boundary) and A4123 Wolverhampton Road (between Hagley Road and Pound Road)

Across the Black Country in 2019 there were 1,955 road traffic collisions injuring 2,660 people; 363 people suffered serious injury and 24 people lost their lives.

Also, across the region there has been increasing levels of anti-social behaviour such as car cruising.

Tragic

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for environment at Wolverhampton Council, said: “It is dreadful to see the statistics which show just how many people have been seriously injured and even lost their lives on our roads.

"Behind the numbers are families who can be impacted in a terribly tragic way and there are also knock-on effects to our communities and the local economy.

"We all recognise something needs to be done to tackle this widespread issue to reduce road incidents and anti-social behaviour.

“As well as supporting the Black Country car cruising ban, average speed enforcement cameras have been successful in reducing road accidents in other areas and I’m pleased to see them switched on in Wolverhampton and the rest of the Black Country to improve safety for all road users."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson added: “I promised to improve road safety and reduce road deaths when I was elected and these cameras will help us protect all road users and pedestrians.

“Speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads and one which people regularly raise with me. The vast majority of motorists follow the rules of the road and drive sensibly with care – we are on their side.

“These new cameras across Wolverhampton and the Black Country will now mean we have Average Speed Enforcement cameras across the West Midlands.

“The Black Country Local Authorities have installed the cameras and West Midlands Police will process and enforce the fines.”