Speed camera van to be set up on busy stretch of A1 - this is where it's going to be

Motorists who routinely travel on one of the busiest stretches of the A1 have been warned they will see a speed camera van in the area as drivers continue to flout the law.
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Northumbria Police’s speed camera van is set to be deployed between Birtley and the Metrocentre in Gateshead as a result of the 50mph speed limit being “ignored”.

Concerned members of the public have complained about speeding motorists in the area. Their worries are supported by accident statistics and speed survey data.

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Enforcement will start in due course after the force has celebrated a 20% reduction in speeding at a notorious accident blackspot on the same route.

The speed camera van is going to be in action on the A1 at Birtley.The speed camera van is going to be in action on the A1 at Birtley.
The speed camera van is going to be in action on the A1 at Birtley.

The speed camera van spent months in action on the A1 near Felton, catching 66 drivers in the first day.

Pc Peter Burke, of Northumbria’s Camera Enforcement Unit, said they were informing drivers of the action in advance as the priority is to “save lives” – not carry out a money-making exercise, as some often think.

He said: “In the last three years there have been almost a hundred accidents that have resulted in a person being injured on this stretch of road.

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“The 50mph limit has been set by Highways England and speed surveys show this limit is being routinely ignored by drivers.

Pc Peter Burke, of Northumbria Police’s Camera Enforcement Unit.Pc Peter Burke, of Northumbria Police’s Camera Enforcement Unit.
Pc Peter Burke, of Northumbria Police’s Camera Enforcement Unit.

“We have also had numerous reports to us from members of the public and it would be incomprehensible for us to ignore what is happening there.

“Our motivation is to reduce speeding and keep our roads safe. We know that this tactic works and the results of our enforcement in Felton demonstrates just that.

“There are often comments about the process being a money making venture but this is categorically not the case.

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“The reason we are informing people that enforcement activity is about to commence is to try to get them to slow down even before the enforcement begins.”

The officer thanked the motorists who comply with the existing limits – and also warned those who continue to speed that they could find themselves in court.

If you want to report illegal activity on the roads, contact Northumbria Police on the non-emergency number 101. You can also send dashcam footage through the force website.