Average speed cameras fitted along busy A-road

A speed limit sign bearing the numeral 50, in a red circle. Above that is a rectangular sign, showing a pictogram of a camera, with the text "Average speed check" within, and behind that, a yellow pole which arcs to the right at the top, upon which is a camera. Traffic can be seen on a single-carriageway road. Hedges can be seen either side of the road.Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
Image caption,

Four cameras have been installed along the eight-mile stretch of road between Great Yarmouth and Acle

  • Published

Average speed cameras have been fitted to a trunk road that has a history of fast driving, injuries and fatal crashes.

National Highways reduced the speed of Norfolk's A47 Acle Straight in April from 60mph to 50mph (96km/h to 80km/h) to improve safety.

However, Adrian Clothier, engineering team manager at National Highways, said there were unavoidable delays meaning the monitoring equipment was not fitted in the summer as had been planned.

"We have overcome some challenges around the poor ground conditions when installing the new speed cameras and installation will be completed this week, although calibration will need to be carried out," he said.

"The 50mph limit, however, is in place and is enforceable by the police."

A speed limit sign bearing the numeral 50, in a red circle. Above that is another sign, showing a pictogram of a camera, with the text "average speed check" within, and behind that, a yellow standard which arcs to the right, upon which is a camera. Traffic can be seen in both directions on a single-carriageway road. Hedges can be seen either side of the road.Image source, Andrew Turner/BBC
Image caption,

The speed limit has been in force since late April 2025 but the average speed cameras will not become operational until calibration work is complete

Cameras have been fitted at the east and west ends of that stretch of the road, with another opposite the Branch Road junction from Halvergate and another between Branch Road and Great Yarmouth.

The road has been closed several times since the speed limit was reduced owing to crashes.

has criticised the limitations of the safety measure and said the road should be dualled.

Graham Plant, from the group and also Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for transport, said more needed to be done to improve safety and they were "still campaigning".

"I can't argue with the fact if their records say its going to improve safety, because I don't want people dying.

"But reducing the speed isn't the answer. The answer is dualling and until they dual it there will continue to be accidents on the Acle Straight."

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