Oxfordshire's speed cameras face cutback

Dozens of speed cameras could be switched off in Oxfordshire as a cost-cutting measure.

County councillors will consider withdrawing money to run the cameras - part of an £11m savings plan.

A spokesman said the camera boxes are likely to stay in place in the short term, even if they are not able to record speeding drivers.

There are 72 fixed-speed cameras in the county, along with seven cameras at traffic lights and 14 mobile vans.

The cameras are run by the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, which could lose its £600,000 county council grant.

The partnership said the move would "drastically reduce" the level of enforcement on the county's roads.

Spokesman Dan Campsall said: "Discussions are ongoing and a final agreement on the assessment of the service provision has yet to be reached. But in the light of a 70% cut to funding it would drastically reduce the level of enforcement."

'Cameras disappearing'

Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said the cameras would not be immediately removed if the cuts are confirmed.

"The presence of the yellow box is a deterrent in itself.

"Over the longer term, I guess those cameras will be disappearing and in time the yellow boxes will have to come down from the point of view of safety," he said.

The proposal is part of £11m-worth of cuts the council has to make from this year's budget as a result of the government's reduction in public spending.

Other proposed cuts include a reduction in money for youth centres in rural areas, careers services and road improvements.

Councillors will decide whether to go ahead with the cuts at a special budget meeting on 27 July.