Thousands of motorists have been caught breaking the law on a major South West route after a new speed camera recorded almost 6,000 offences in just three months.
The fixed camera, installed on the A383 Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot, was switched on following complaints from residents about speeding and fears over safety.
Backed by Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council, the device monitors a 30mph stretch of road.
The scale of the enforcement sparked a heated debate at a full council meeting, with councillors clashing over whether the camera had been installed correctly and whether it met national guidance.
During the meeting, Councillor Phil Bullivant tabled a motion calling on the authority to seek clarity from highways officials.
He asked why the camera had been placed at that exact location, who made the decision, and how many drivers had been ticketed for travelling at 35mph or below.
He also questioned whether the Ashburton Road camera installation complied with national standards for speed camera sites.
Speaking during the meeting, Councillor Bullivant revealed that a member of his own family had been issued with a ticket after driving at 34mph past what he described as an “invisible” camera.
Drivers can be fined £100 for going above the designated speed limit
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PAThe Association of Chief Police Officers suggested a guideline threshold of 35mph in a 30mph zone before enforcement action is usually taken.
Councillor Bullivant said: “People should not exceed the speed limits. Speeding is unacceptable at any time, but it appears that the installation of this camera does not conform to national standards.
“I am looking for clarity on behalf of residents. This is about having appropriate checks and balances. If you put in an installation, it has to conform to the standards, and this does not.”
However, council leaders were quick to hit back. Council leader Richard Keeling gave a blunt response, saying that they shouldn’t speed.
More than 6,000 drivers were caught speeding within the first three months of operation
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PAOther Liberal Democrat councillors defended the camera’s presence, including Councillor Rosie Dawson, who said cameras are installed in areas where there is a clear safety concern, particularly involving children or vulnerable residents.
Councillor Colin Parker went one step further, branding the suggestion that the camera should not be there as “nonsensical”.
The device was installed by the Devon and Cornwall Police Road Safety Team, working alongside Devon County Council and the Vision Zero South West partnership.
The camera sits within 300 metres of a children’s play park, a family centre and sheltered accommodation. In the past five years, there have been nine injury collisions along that stretch of road.
The speed camera was installed to help stop drivers breaking the law
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PAAlthough warning signs are not legally required, officers confirmed that signage alerting motorists to the camera’s presence was installed.
According to police data, the number of activations has been falling month by month since the camera went live.
The latest figures indicate that just three drivers in every 1,000 are now travelling above the enforcement threshold speed.
Despite the concerns raised, councillors overwhelmingly rejected Councillor Bullivant’s motion.
