New average speed cameras could be coming to Southend

New average speed cameras could be installed on a busy dual carriageway in Southend, after residents petitioned the council.

Southend City Council began a process last year to look into new average speed cameras in Eastern Avenue. The average speed measured area would be from Hamstel Road to Sutton Road.

The cameras haven’t been confirmed or installed yet, but some residents are already calling for them to be extended along Royal Artillery Way too, which is a 50mph road.

A group of campaigning local residents say that motorists are often speeding along both stretches of dual carriageway and are putting lives at risk.

However, a traffic survey carried out in 2020 on the 40mph Eastern Avenue stretch of road indicated that the actual average speed was 36mph.

A spokesperson for Southend City Council said: “While a Notice of Motion has been put forward through the Traffic Regulations Working Party, we are currently in the data-gathering stage, which is crucial for determining whether installation is necessary.

“We only have anecdotal evidence. Any measures implemented must address a demonstrable need and be enforceable, which would require police involvement. Further discussions with the Essex Safety Camera Partnership and police approval would also be necessary.”

Average speed cameras in the UK usually have no film or local video storage. Instead all footage is sent to a central location where ANPR software calculates the average speed of a vehicle between two or more cameras.