Safety concerns over A10 speed camera at Setchey

Two West Norfolk councillors are calling for a speed camera to be removed as it is deemed unsafe for motorists on the A10.

Councillors Simon Nash and Alex Kemp have voiced concerns after the speed camera was installed at the Garage Lane junction in Setchey.

Mr Nash said the majority of accidents on the stretch of road have been caused by failure to observe rather than speeding, and he would ideally like to see a roundabout at the junction instead.

He added: "If you asked me where the worst position was to put the camera, it is within six inches of that. It is in the worst possible place.

"The camera has a 10 inch square pole leading up to it which is not narrow. It is fairly substantial and considering drivers have been failing to observe, this obstruction to vision makes matters worse."

Mr Nash posted about the camera's location on social media expressing his concern.

It says: "May I offer my pre-emptive condolences to anyone who might be killed or injured as a result of this visual obstruction."

A surveyor inspected the camera's location today after complaints had been made by borough councillors to the county council.

Norfolk Police have said the location of the camera was agreed between Norfolk County Council and the camera provider.

But both Mr Nash and Ms Kemp believe the current location is an accident waiting to happen.

They both referred to the prospect of heavy volumes of traffic on the road with plans being proposed for 4,000 new homes in West Winch.

Ms Kemp, who has been calling for a speed camera since 2015, said: "It should not be on a junction and there should have been a consultation. My suggestion would be putting the camera near the bridge where there was a fatality.

"It needs to be moved as soon as possible because it's dangerous. Highways should have been consulted as safety on the A10 is so important. It has become an accident hotspot which is why we asked for it [speed camera] in the first place."

West Winch Parish Council chairman Terry Gibson said: "I have not seen it personally but I have seen a photo and it is right on the junction which obstructs vision to Downham quite a bit. As I understand it, there will be various people inspecting."

The speed limit on the road is 40mph.

The county council has been contacted for comment.