Mother's protest over axed speed cameras in Wiltshire

Ms Brixey, who led the protest at County Hall in Trowbridge, said she was encouraged by the support

A bereaved mother has led a protest against a decision to axe speed cameras in Wiltshire.

Clare Brixey's son Ashley, 20, was killed in a crash in Limpley Stoke in 2004 when the car he was a passenger in landed upside down in a swimming pool.

Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership is being disbanded because of cuts in government funding.

Ms Brixey, from Somerset, said up to 30 supporters joined the protest at County Hall in Trowbridge earlier.

'Feel safer'

She said: "I cannot just stand by while the council puts an axe to vital road safety services that save so many young lives here each year.

"They need to know how appalled local communities are about this. Most people fully support cameras and feel safer with them turned on.

A man was jailed for causing Mr Brixey's death by dangerous driving

"The cost of a speed camera does not compare to the cost of a life."

The partnership is made up of Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said the axing meant there would be no speed cameras in the county.

Announcing the intention to end the partnership earlier this month, chairman Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Geenty said: "It was just not viable to keep the unit running this year.

"I will ensure that enforcement from traffic officers increases to try to fill some of the gap."

Other councils have axed speed cameras or are reviewing their use.

Oxfordshire County Council has come under fire from road safety groups after switching off its 72 cameras.

Dorset, West Midlands and Gloucestershire councils are also considering cutting or reducing theirs.

Richard Joyce, then aged 24 and from Trowbridge, was jailed in 2005 after he admitted causing Mr Brixey's death by dangerous driving.