Particular benefits for vulnerable road users

Key transport organisations have welcomed the plan to allow the London Safety Camera Partnership to retain some of the money raised from safety camera fines. The new scheme will enable the Partnership to cover the costs to the police and others of operating safety cameras from the fines collected from offending motorists. Today's announcement follows the success of pilot schemes across the country.

Richard Bourn, London Co-ordinator of Transport 2000, said, "This announcement is good news for vulnerable road users. If the Mayor is to get more people walking and cycling, speeding needs to be curbed. This is an important step forward in improving Londoners’ quality of life."

RoadPeace spokeswoman, Amy Aaeron-Thomas, said, "Our members will be delighted with this move. Many of them have lost loved ones on the streets of London because of speeding traffic. With 284 people killed on London’s roads in 2000 (compared to 171 murder victims) and urban surveys showing speeding to be endemic, investment in speed reduction is long overdue."

Paula Jones, Director of Age Concern London, said, "Many older people are afraid to walk around their neighbourhoods because of the fear of speeding traffic. They become housebound as a result. Fast traffic also makes it difficult for many older people to cross the roads. This decision will benefit around a million older Londoners."

Peter Lewis, Director of the London Cycling Campaign, "This is good news for cyclists. Speeding traffic can take away from the enjoyment of cycling around London. This initiative will help reduce speeds and encourage more people to cycle, which will mean less traffic, a healthier population, and an improved environment for all Londoners."

Philip Connolly, London Co-ordinator of Living Streets, said, "At present our streets can be places of fear for children. Road crashes are the leading cause of death amongst the young. Children from poor homes and ethnic minority areas are particularly vulnerable. The curse of speed must be removed if communities are to reclaim their streets."