New speed cameras installed at Derbyshire accident blackspot
New average speed cameras have been turned on as part of a £3.1m road safety programme for Derbyshire County Council.
The money has come from the government through the national Safer Roads Fund initiative to reduce the number of collisions and casualties along a 7.5 mile stretch of the A5004 between Buxton and Whaley Bridge.
Independent county councillor for Whaley Bridge & Blackbrook Ruth George said: “From 2021 to 2025 there were nine serious road accidents in the Fernilee area. Many of those injured have been affected for life.
“Speed checks have clocked vehicles travelling over twice the 40mph limit.
“The first two average speed cameras on Long Hill to be switched on are monitoring speeds in the 40mph zone in Fernilee.
“Hopefully these cameras will help reduce accidents in the area.”
Speaking about the collisions County Councillor Melandra Smith for Buxton said: “Derbyshire Police identified that excessive speed was a contributory factor to between 11 per cent and 33 per cent of the collisions.
“This has led the Derbyshire and Derby Road Safety Partnership to install average speed safety cameras to help change driver behaviours along the route."
National statistics show that average speed safety cameras can change behaviour and slow motorists down, with a significant reduction in the number of collisions.
The first two of seven safety camera locations along the A5004 have been switched on between Buxton and Fernilee.
One by the former Village Hall at the southern end of Fernilee at the start of the 40mph zone and one by The Shady Oak pub car park at the northern end of Fernilee at the end of the 40mph zone.
The existing speed limits have not been changed at these locations, says DCC.
A county council spokesperson said: “The cameras will register a vehicle entering and leaving each speed zone and compare the average speed against the speed limit in that particular area.”
The five remaining cameras – north and south of Fernilee at the start of the 50mph zone and at Whaley Bridge and Buxton at the end of the 50mph zone – will be switched on later this year once final connections and works have been completed.
There have been no changes to the existing speed limits listed above.