Bury: GMP launch speed camera to tackle rise in anti-social driving

Residents have expressed their concerns having seen a rise of anti-social driving and car accidents in Bury over the past year.

GMP have met with the council and its Community Safety Partnership and funded a new speed camera in a bid to help tackle the issue.

Borough police officers are now able to use the speed camera across the town's road networks and at a location highlighted by the council and local community as an area of concern.

Cllr Kevin Peel says that a number of sites have been highlighted by residents via councillors.

He added: “Walmersley Road is one, in fact that’s where our first community speed watch will be stationed which we’ve been pushing for for some time.”

Residents can find information on where mobile and fixed speed cameras on Transport for Greater Manchester's webiste - tfgm.com/road-safe/where-are-safety-cameras 

The new speed camera was officially launched by GMP’s chief superintendent for Bury, Chris Hill, along with councillors on Friday, December 2.

Residents who sign up to be a part of the community speed watch will also be able to make use of the new speed camera.

Cllr Alan Quinn, the council's cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “Speeding cars are among the biggest concerns of communities in Bury.

“Even though enforcement is a police matter, we are more than happy to help our colleagues in GMP with the purchase of the speed camera, which I’m sure will be welcomed by our residents."

Cllr Kevin Peel, Cllr Alan Quinn and another council representative with a GMP officer (Image: GMP)

Chief superintendent Hill said: “This speed camera hopefully is a reminder to the community across Bury and Greater Manchester, that we do listen to your concerns and if you report your concerns to us, we will act.

"It is a perfect example of ‘you said, we did’.

"It will also ensure drivers adhere to road speeds and do not engage in antisocial or careless driving.

“Speeds limits are in place for a reason and not only do excessive speeds increase the chances of driver error and time it takes for a vehicle to stop, but higher speeds also increase the fatality of pedestrians who may be involved in a collision with that vehicle.

“I would like to thank Bury Council and Community Safety Partnership for continuing to work with GMP in Bury to help tackle these issues which the community report to us. Without their efforts and funding this wouldn’t have been possible.

“Of course, this is just one step towards tackling speeding and anti-social driving in Bury and we will continue to work with Bury Council and our community safety partnership to enforce more ways of keeping the people of Bury safe.

“GMP will not allow the safety of our roads to be compromised by dangerous drivers, and appropriate against will always be taken against these offences.”

To report any information or crime, call police 101 or in an emergency call 999. There is also the option to report online at www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, people can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.