City workers were caught by a speed camera in Cardiff, which detected thousands of drivers in the first week it was switched on. The activation of a speed camera in front of the Excelsior Road intersection at Western Avenue on June 26 drew sharp criticism from motorists who demanded clearer road signs to indicate the speed limit is 30mph.

Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for climate change, Cllr Caro Wild, said the council had received a total of 38 Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIP) for alleged speeding by council vehicle drivers at the Western Avenue speed camera crossing since June 1st. Conservative councilor Cllr Sean Driscoll requested the amount at a full council meeting on Thursday, November 26.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to South Wales Police (SWP) revealed that 4,293 Intended Prosecution Notices (PINs) have been issued to motorists caught driving in excess of 50mph on Western Avenue since police cameras were activated on June 26th. , until July 3rd. Until July 3, the 30 mph speed limit sign was posted on the radar located in front of the Excelsior Road interchange. For more Cardiff news sign up to our newsletter here.

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The FOI also found that 623 PINs were issued in the week following the sign’s installation (July 4-11). At a full council meeting last week, Cllr Driscoll said: “This clearly shows that if the vast majority of drivers had been warned about the changes, fewer people would have been fined, including perhaps some of our hard workers.

“Do you agree that additional signage and information could save people a lot of stress and money they can’t afford?” In response to a follow-up question from Cllr Driscoll, Cllr Wild said: “I will have to disagree…that is a matter for roads and technical experts.

“I’m not going to get into whether the signals are correct…that’s what they should do. [I] “I am pleased to report this, as I am sure you are too.” From 2021, Western Avenue will have a 30mph zone and a red warning sign has been installed on the bridge in front of the camera to announce the change.

However, many people, when the camera was turned on, claimed that the signage was not clear enough and that its bilingual format made it difficult for drivers to read as they passed. During the FOI findings, Cardiff City Council said that drivers should be aware that street lights indicate the presence of a 30mph zone and that this is what is contained in the Road Traffic Regulations.