Cut-down traffic cameras being replaced on bridge

Traffic cameras are being replaced on a bridge where they were cut down hours after being installed.

Work to put up the new "state-of-the-art" devices on the A3024 Northam Bridge, in Southampton, started on Monday.

New cameras will also be installed on the A3024 Northam Road, near its junction with Brinton's Road, and the A335 Thomas Lewis Way, near Dukes Road and Horseshoe Bridge.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the vandalism in January had followed "incorrect" speculation that the previous cameras were to raise money, or could be used for surveillance.

Sergeant Jamie Dobson said: "These cameras do not have facial recognition, ANPR or AI technology. They are not part of any ULEZ scheme.

"The cameras can only check for speeding and red light offences and are simply an upgrade to existing older systems."

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: "The people who oppose these devices are undermining safety efforts and are ultimately putting lives at risk."

The force said the new cameras would replace systems that had been in place since the early 2000s.

It said the new technology was akin to average speed enforcement systems seen across the country.

The previous cameras on Northam Bridge were fitted on the road's central island to capture two-way traffic across all lanes over the bridge.

The pole holding the new equipment was found sliced through in January, causing the T-shaped camera mount to topple and smash.

Installation of the Northam Road camera is scheduled for later this week and the camera on Thomas Lewis Way on a date yet to be confirmed.

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