The Parish Council is currently carrying out a residents survey on speed reduction options. We will update the Parish with the results of the survey once it has been completed. In the meantime, here are some FAQ’s you may find helpful:
What is a SID?
There are a variety of different SID’s on the market, & they can be frequently seen on the highways across the UK. In essence they all do 2 basic things:
- Data Capture – Capture data about vehicles passing them (usually in both directions). This includes numbers, times, speeds etc. They do not capture number plate details. This data can then be used to analysis speeding hot spots, & provide evidence to Highways/Police for speed reduction measures.
- Education – A message and/or image can be displayed to the oncoming driver, such as the speed they are travelling, smiley face/sad face etc.
They can be solar powered, hard wired or battery operated. They can be fixed or moveable. They can also be used on a portable tripod, but must be manned in such circumstances.
How much does a SID cost?
This can vary depending on the type, but roughly between £3k – £4k. Parish Councils are permitted to install SID’s on Bedford Borough Council Highway, subject to agreeing suitable locations. The Parish Council has existing funds that could potentially be used for purchasing a SID.
What Are ASC’s?
Average Speed Cameras (ASC’s), measure the average speed of a vehicle between at least two cameras. They are widely used in Bedford Borough as a speed reduction measure, and speeding penalties can be issued based on the information captured by the cameras. They can only be installed by Bedford Borough Council in this area.
How much do ASC’s cost?
These cost at least £100k for a pair of cameras (2 is the minimum needed, but often more are required to make an effective scheme). Bedford Borough Council has limited funds for ASC’s, so must carefully decide where to install them, & prioritise the biggest problem areas in the Borough. Parish Councils can request them & make a small contribution towards the cost. They must demonstrate there is community support to have them installed. There is never a guarantee that a request will be agreed to, as the Borough Council has to assess each application on a case by case basis, based on available funding.
Why is the survey being done now?
Concerns over speeding and road safety were raised to the Parish Council and the safety of all roadusers within the parish is of concern to the PC. The survey aims to gain insight in to the views of residents.
What level of support is needed from the community for action to be taken to install devices?
Bedford Borough Council will consider applications for ASCs where there is clear evidence of support from the community.
The survey mentions that the PC has some funds available to contribute to devices – what funds are these?
The PC has some Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, circa £3.5k, which could be used for either the purchase of a SID or as a contribution to Bedford Borough Council for ASCs.
Where would devices be positioned?
As yet this has not been considered. This survey is the first step to gauge support in principle. The Borough Council would be involved in further steps.
What is the benefit of a SID?
SIDs are a visual prompt for drivers on their speed. SIDs also collect data on date, time and speed of every passing vehicle.
Will people get fined if speeding past a SID?
No
Will people get fined exceeding the average speed between ASCs?
Yes. A notification of intended prosecution (NIP) will be sent to registered keeper of the vehicle. A vehicle needs to pass 2 (or more) ASCs to have average speed recorded, so for example, a journey terminating between ASCs will not be recorded.
Why should I support ASC if they’re not in my road?
ASCs are used to reduce speeding vehicles and improve safety on the roads of benefit to everyone. It is hoped they ensure more mindful driving in the locality.
What type of ASC can we have?
Bedford Borough Council determines the ASCs available.
Is street lighting required for a SID and/or ASC?
No. ASCs are operated by infrared technology and SIDs use batteries.
Why can’t Bolnhurst have an ASC? I’ve heard on Facebook that ASCs can now be installed on roads where there are speed limits as short as 75m?
Bedford Borough Council informed the Parish Council that the stretch of road does not currently meet the requirement for ASC. The Parish Council has requested clarification on the issue.
When SID’s were used by the volunteer speed group what speeds were recorded?Commonly vehicles were recorded exceeding the speed limits. The fastest speed recorded was 74mph within a 30mph limit.
Why are we being asked to provide address details?
Councillors wanted to really try & understand the different views coming from different parts of the Parish, & different members of each household. It was also felt useful to try & ensure we were not getting duplicate responses from people, which may skew results. Capturing personal details was therefore thought to be helpful in this regard. No personal data will be published & will be destroyed once it has been used to collate the analysis.