Should speed cameras return to Wolverhampton's Stafford Road to stop 'reckless' drivers?
Speed cameras must be brought back to a major road into Wolverhampton to put a stop to 'reckless' drivers, an MP has insisted.
Emma Reynolds says it is up to the Government to provide funding for new cameras on Stafford Road, where she says drivers are routinely ignoring the speed limit.
Cameras have been switched off for the last five years on Wolverhampton's roads and Ms Reynolds said it was now time for action following a recent fatality and several serious crashes.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has promised to look into the issue after the MP for Wolverhampton North East raised it in Parliament.
She said residents were scared of pulling off their drives for fear of being struck by an oncoming speeding driver.
Pensioner Hopton Gayle was killed after being hit by a car on Stafford Road, near Goodyear Island, in February, while there have been several crashes at the notorious junction with Oxley Moor Road in recent months.
West Midlands Police has said it would be open to discussions about cameras with Black Country councils. Cameras are currently being trialled in Birmingham and Solihull and Wolverhampton Council has said it is considering installing new average speed cameras.
But with budgets increasingly stretched, Ms Reynolds said the Government needs to intervene and provide the money.
Ms Reynolds said: "I held a meeting with residents of Stafford Road and surrounding roads and there is a huge amount of frustration and anger about speeding and how nothing really is being done about it.
"There needs to be special provision for speed cameras in areas where there have been fatalities and severe accidents.
"I'm very keen to push for speed cameras on Stafford Road. It is one of the main arteries in the city and it is residential - there are people living on Stafford Road. There was a woman at the meeting who said she lives in fear of pulling off her drive because of the reckless driving of a minority of people.
"We have the issues around the Vine Island and people speeding there. I do think speed cameras would help."
The MP said she was also keen for money raised from speeding fines to be pumped back into improving road safety.
Ms Reynolds said: "At the moment the funds go to the Treasury and I'm asking whether the funds should go back to the police to be used for road safety."
Responding to the Wolverhampton MP in the Commons, Mr Grayling said as there had been fatalities on Stafford Road it should be something 'to be particularly mindful of'.
