Average speed cameras are now operating on both lanes of the A14 Orwell after a camera was finally replaced – four months after it was damaged in an accident.
The camera on the westbound carriageway was knocked over on December 20 and was finally replaced last week after Highways England said the bad winter weather prevented them from doing the work earlier.
Because the police need images from all the cameras on the bridge to be able to make a case for prosecution of drivers, there were no speeding tickets issued on the westbound carriageway during the first three months of 2018.
A Highways England spokeswoman said: “Safety is at the heart of everything Highways England does and speed cameras help keep roads safer by ensuring people don’t drive too fast. This is why we installed speed cameras on the Orwell Bridge in 2016.
“One of the speed cameras on the bridge was damaged beyond repair following an incident just before Christmas last year and we started planning a replacement for it shortly afterwards.
“We replaced the camera last week, which was slightly later than anticipated due to delays following severe weather early this year and the need to prioritise our resources on repairing surface defects caused by the severe weather throughout the region.
“The new camera is now operational.”
The agency had planned to install the camera at the end of February – but that was when the “Beast from the East” hit the region which delayed maintenance work.
After that road engineers had to concentrate on repairing potholes that opened up after the bad weather.
Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore led the initial calls for new speed limits and cameras on the bridge before they were installed – and was relieved they were now back in full working order.
He said: “I’m glad the camera has finally been replaced. I suppose you have to say it’s better late than never – it does seem to have taken a very long time!
“Of course drivers should obey the speed limits whether there are speed cameras there or not – but I am sure that they help to deter people from driving at dangerous speeds so I am delighted that the cameras are working on both carriageways again.”
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