Speed camera information for the A1: FOI release

Information requested

I was travelling on the A1 southbound on Friday 16 August 2024 when I noticed that several speed cameras were marked as being out of use.

1. Please let me know why these cameras were out of use?

2. For what period were they out of use?

3. Was any risk assessment carried out of the consequences of the cameras being out of use?

Response

Across Scotland, safety cameras are deployed through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme primarily where they have the greatest potential to reduce injury collisions and where there is evidence of both collisions and speeding. This is in accordance with criteria contained in the Scottish Safety Camera Programme Handbook. This can be viewed at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/scottish-safety-camera-programme-handbook/.

To maximise the casualty reduction potential of the Programme an annual safety camera site prioritisation exercise is undertaken. The most recent exercise reviewed over 500 sites and concluded that 119 sites had no speed related injury collisions and a consistent level of speed limit compliance for a number of years. This included a number of locations along the A1.

A decision was taken to make these sites dormant through the process set out within the Handbook, which allows for a thorough assessment of improvements in driver behaviour over a 3 year period. This informs whether to reactivate or decommission the site. During the dormancy process, across each of these sites, the camera infrastructure and signage will remain in place and a bag displayed over any fixed camera to indicate its non-operational status. This pause allows for a thorough multi-year assessment, after which decisions will be made regarding potential decommissioning or reactivation.

If, at any time there is evidence of a change in behaviour, for example an increase in speed, then the camera-bag can be removed and enforcement recommence. This however is an operational matter for the East Safety Camera Unit who will be monitoring the A1 for any changes in behaviour.

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.