M5: Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Mr. Greg Knight
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 November 2009, Official Report, column 132W, on M5: cameras, how many automatic number plate recognition cameras are in use for the detection of traffic offences on the M5; and if he will list the offences so detected in the last 12 months.

Chris Mole
[holding answer 2 December 2009]: The average speed cameras currently in use on the M5 to secure speed limit compliance through roadworks are shown in the table.

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|Scheme                                                                                                                |Location|Safety camera partnership            |Number of cameras|
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|Gloucester Driver Information Scheme—new signs providing drivers with real time advance information on road conditions|J11a-13 |Gloucester Safety Camera Partnership |8                |
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|                                                                                                                      |        |                                     |                 |
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|Newton Farm resurfacing/barrier replacement works                                                                     |J3-J4   |West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership|14               |
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As explained in my answer of 25 November 2009, Official Report, column 132W, the other types of cameras are not used for the detection of traffic offences.

Traffic offences are administered by the relevant Safety Camera Partnership Group and the Highways Agency does not keep records of these. Any enquiries relating to offences detected in the last 12 months would therefore have to be addressed directly to the Gloucester Safety Camera Partnership and the West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership respectively, for the above locations.