MORE fixed speed cameras are expected by the end of March 2004 targeting the most dangerous stretches blighting Herefordshire's roads.

The Safety Camera Partnership announced the installation of fixed cameras on the eastbound carriageway of A44 Bromyard Bypass and the A40 at Lea north and southbound.

Once completed another camera site is planned for the notorious A49 at Hope-under-Dinmore north and southbound. The controversial cameras have caused quite a stir among Hereford Times' readers since the scheme first began in the county nine months ago.

Some have described them as 'nothing more than a revenue machine' leaving motorists wondering whether the scheme is being operated for safety or to meet numerical targets and related revenue.

Communications Manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, Heather Mead explained the organisation is not police led.

"We are a partnership which includes four local highway authorities (Herefordshire Council) the Highways Agency, West Mercia Magistrates' Courts Service, West Mercia Constabulary and the region's six NHS Primary Care Trusts," she said.

"None of the partners receive any direct financial benefit from the work; it makes no difference to the funding arrangements whether a large or small number of offences are detected at a particular site on a particular day."

The money is ultimately paid to the Treasury and the direct costs of delivering the service are refunded by Central Government, she added.

"So the entire scheme is funded by people who fail to observe the speed limits rather than the whole community," she said.

"Over the last three years on average 135 people have been killed or seriously injured in Herefordshire and 398 slightly injured each year as a direct result of speed related collisions. Collisions, deaths and injuries are largely avoidable and their severity would be reduced if drivers were to slow down," she added.

The new installations will bring the total of fixed speed cameras up to six although 85% of the Partnership's enforcement will remain mobile. At mobile sites, a vehicle carries the camera unit. All the vehicles are distinctive and signs warning that activity is taking place are always in situ.

Mrs Mead added: "Like Aylestone Hill, the locations where the latest fixed cameras are currently being installed have a very poor collision history.''