Highways inspection at site of controversial speedcam in Setch

Concerns continue to be expressed over the location of an A10 speed camera which is set to be reinstalled in a West Norfolk village.

A Highways site inspection took place in Setch on Tuesday morning after a camera had been positioned at the A10 Garage Lane junction in December.

This was removed days later after fears were expressed over visibility being obscured in the direction of Downham when pulling out of the junction.

After the site inspection, a meeting has been scheduled for Friday which will include Highways, Norfolk Safety Partnership, West Norfolk county councillor Alex Kemp and West Winch Parish Council chairman Terry Gibson.

Councillors are concerned the camera’s new location will not resolve the number of accidents at the junction. But the county council has said they analysing findings and reviewing the options.

Borough councillor and Setchey resident Simon Nash took to social media about the issue. He said: “The speed camera surveyors are back.

They intend to relocate the camera further back from the edge of the A10 and at the same location. The surveyors claim to have data from eighteen months ago which demonstrates excessive speed at this location. I have asked for a copy of this data.

“In order to provide a clear view for the camera, the surveyors propose the removal of established roadside bushes. The position of the surveyors is that this is the location of the speed/accident problem.”

He added: “I am of course mindful of the fact that a large amount of money has already been spent in placing sensors under the road and to put the camera elsewhere would require this work to be repeated.”

A local business told the Lynn News the site visit was not the best timing as it was conducted around 11am with traffic being reduced at this period of time due to the pandemic anyway.

They described the situation as being “absolutely ludicrous” and believe a speed camera near the junction will actually increase the number of accidents due to visibility issues.

She suggested the camera should be installed in West Winch instead where there are more pedestrians and children crossing the road with parents.

West Winch Parish Council chairman Terry Gibson told the Lynn News: “As far as I know, they want to put it at the junction because they have identified it as an accident blackspot, but presumably it’s because people do not pay attention at the junction.

“How much leeway is there as to where the accident blackspot has to be? If there was a house on that corner, they could not put it there for instance. That is one of the questions I will ask on Friday but until I hear from Highways and a location is confirmed I do not know.”

Councillor Kemp said the ideal location for the camera would be on a long stretch of road. She believes there is an issue with overhanging cables in the Downham direction, but believes Highways should find a way around this.

She added: “Unfortunately they would like the camera back in the same place but they have got to take into account the experiences of people who use that road and junction every day.

“I have had businesses and residents writing to me saying it will still be a distraction if it is installed there [the junction].”

A county council spokeswoman said: "A site visit did take place earlier in the week, to review potential locations for siting the speed camera. The findings from this visit are currently being analysed and we will be discussing potential options with local members over the coming days."