New digital speed camera installed after vandalism

A vandalised speed camera has been replaced with a new smaller digital version of the enforcement equipment but on a taller pole.

The camera on Haworth Road in Bradford is part of continuing modernisation work by the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership.

There are already three old-style cameras on the 30mph (48km/h) stretch of road, which is close to a primary and nursery school and a mosque.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "These new safety cameras will help improve road safety by addressing excessive or dangerous speeds which are a known risk factor in many injury collisions."

Fixed-spot cameras are installed in areas identified as having a high-risk of collisions, using data analysis carried out by council highways teams.

Shopkeeper Mohammed Bilal said the old camera had been taken down last year after it was vandalised.

He said: "It was a pretty big camera. What they did was put a mattress over the screen.

"Then the day after they sprayed it black. On a night, people used to come and speed on both sides.

"It's very busy on a night. People think it's the M62."

He welcomed the new camera but said it had caused "concern" among some people.

Bilal said: "Everyone's worried - is it a speed camera, is it face-recognition or is it for your seat belt?"

Bradford Council said the camera was a "standard type-approved speed enforcement device" and it is not AI-enabled or capable of using facial recognition technology.

Azher Sheikh, 55, has run his DIY shop for more than 20 years on Haworth Road.

He said the majority of motorists stayed within the speed limit and estimated that fewer than 5% ignored it.

Sheikh said: "It will control the traffic and improve the safety of the public, the safety of the customers, and the residents as well, which is good.

"You can hardly see it so the people who speed don't like it, obviously."

Motorist Humza Majid, 28, from Bradford, was collecting a takeaway from the row of shops close to the where the camera is sited opposite a garage forecourt.

"I did see it online, on Instagram and TikTok, people saying it's an AI checker, but it's just a speed camera," he said.

"There have been quite a few accidents here over the years.

"As long as it's keeping everyone safe and people are abiding by the law it's fine, I'm not too fussed about it."

The West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership consists of the five district councils of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield along with West Yorkshire Police and the Highways Agency.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "West Yorkshire Police Camera Enforcement Unit enforce speed limits and red-light violations using both fixed and mobile safety cameras on behalf of the partnership.

"Some older cameras across the route network are being replaced by digital technology as part of an ongoing upgrade camera programme.

"The partnership remains committed to delivering the West Yorkshire Vision Zero strategy and making the roads safer for all users."

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