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Liphook speed cameras? - Steven Tisch (27th May 2008 - 23:38:46) Greetings, I'm not actually a resident of Liphook (I live in Petersfield) but I was speaking to a friend and colleague of mine (who attends local parish meetings for the Petersfield area) and he mentioned there has been a proposal to install a number of safety (aka speed) cameras in the centre of Liphook. Now, I know the 30mph limit you have there is constantly trying to be enforced by the police (by numerous speed traps) but I wouldn't have thought they would go as far as installing fixed speed cameras. On the other hand I guess, they installed one on the 30mph limit leading into Fernhurst (near Haslemere) so I guess it could happen. As far as I'm aware, the proposed sites are on the Portsmouth road (opposite the post office) and also on the Headley Road (on the outskirts of Liphook heading towards Passfield. Has anyone heard anything else/more about this? I think it's a very good idea as the 30mph limit is often over looked.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - nikki (28th May 2008 - 00:08:39) Thanks for the info. To be honest it's the first I've heard of it.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - claire (28th May 2008 - 08:04:51) I for one hope cameras are approved and placed in our village. If you have ever walked or cycled around the village and surrounding areas you cannot fail to notice the number of speeding cars (and more alarmingly lorries & vans) that pass through. It's a pity that we cannot have cameras which will catch those that have a total disregard for pedestrian crossings too. Bring on the cameras..don't want points and a fine ...... simple ......don't speed.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Paul Robinson (28th May 2008 - 08:06:36) Is it coincidence that a hand held speed camera was in use on Monday afternoon at the Post Office sorting office? Speaking as one who lives on the Headley Road I would welcome any measure that would reduce the speed of some vehicles on this road. Paul Robinson

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (28th May 2008 - 08:29:50) Hhmm, not so sure it is a good idea. The layout of Liphook village centre actually constrains drivers from driving very fast, and nearly all of the complaints I have heard are about traffic congestion at the roundabouts, not speeding. These machines don't come cheap either, and we know who ends up paying for them in the end. In fact some recent road mangement initiatives are aimed at 'decluttering' the road side, not adding more to it eg Kensington High Street, which has worked quite well. So I'm not sure I'm convinced of the need, or the cost here. I also read about a campaign to stop the Police/ authorities from keeping the fines from speed cameras as it effectively turns them into another revenue source, when in fact we might want those organisations to focus on different priorities, some of which have certainly been mentioned on this site.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Rhys G (28th May 2008 - 12:00:22) The police are quite regularly have a speed 'gun' in the layby of the sorting office, and recently along the Haslemere Road by The Maltings. Permanent speed cameras may be a step too far, as people learn to slow down for them, then speed up after passing to catch up on (minimal) lost time. Perhaps more random and frequent manned speed traps would be a more effective solution to enforcing the speed limits.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Wendy Moore (28th May 2008 - 12:58:51) I frequently walk along the Midhurst Road from the village and traffic travels along there far too fast (often 4x4s driven by school mums). On a wet day it is dreadful as the combination of narrow pavement, speeding cars and the road camber means walkers between Hungary Cottages and Chiltley Way get soaked. On one occasion a passing car drenched me to such an extent that the following car stopped to see if I was all right. I do agree though, that rather than a fixed camera, regular hand-held speed guns might encourage traffic to slow down.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - dawn (28th May 2008 - 14:43:42) [These machines don't come cheap either, and we know who ends up paying for them in the end.] the people who pay the ultimate price are the parents who have lost their children due to inconsiderate and dangerous drivers. I am all for the cameras - I don't care how much they cost it can never be as emotionally expensive as a dead child. What I find quite amazing is that no one (in our parish council) has either been told or told us!! Same old lack of communication.............

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - ellen (28th May 2008 - 15:03:18) I am rather hoping they might decide to place one on the Longmoor Road, just after Old Thorns as I live on a bend and my child and I risk our lives everyday trying to get out of the driveway!! and please! dont tell me to move again!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue w (28th May 2008 - 17:33:10) I am not a lover of speed cameras either! But we do suffer from too many drivers flouting the speed limits - especially down the Portsmouth Road. In other areas ie Bordon (sorry Mr Coyte), they have signs of speed cameras. Would that not be a cheaper option, and continue with the random hand held devices.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Steve Tisch (28th May 2008 - 20:36:47) The problem with sticking with the mobile cameras is the actual visible presence isn't there and although the offender is unlikely to repeat if he gets a letter through his (or her I must say) door they are going to continue speeding until they get caught. With a visible speed camera I think it is obvious the speed will be obeyed. I for one think a particularly bad area is the stretch of road coming into the 30mph speed limit alongside Radford Park (when coming into Liphook from the A3) - people never seem to slow down to 30mph. I'll keep you all up to date with any developments I here of.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Karen Feeney (28th May 2008 - 21:49:28) Oh PLEASE let this be true, speed cameras on the Portsmouth Road would be the answer to my prayers since we moved into our house in 2002. You should come and spend an hour or two in my house to appreciate that not very many people abide by the 30mph rule on this road - (my point in case as someone has just driven past at probably around 45-50 mph). We all have children along this road (my youngest is only three) and it is dangerous (as are many roads in Liphook), and it would make life much more pleasant for us folks down this end of the village, if drivers showed a little more respect for the law (and not just when they see a speeding gun firing at them from the Post Office car park). I actually hope they put speed cameras up all over Liphook, as it would make the village a much safer place in which to walk with children. Perhaps more people would take to the pavements and paths without the threat of being swept away in a gust of speeding traffic! I am keeping everything crossed for a speeding camera along this road. Karen

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (29th May 2008 - 08:16:52) Ok, I stand corrected, people are clearly worried about road safety/speeding, and hope that speed cameras are going to solve the problem. A couple more points to consider then are that even in this short string seven separate locations have already been mentioned for these cameras, and just around Liphook; and at £40,000 each (they need a 240v supply in rural areas), the bill is already £280,000. Also, because of the risk of the flash 'blinding' drivers speed cameras can only be placed to photograph cars after they have passed ie rear view, so you could question whether they have 'prevented', or 'penalised' speeding. BTW, I've no particular agenda here - I'm not a speed camera hater, I just like to see the right decisions being made for the right reasons - and being properly communicated to the local community, of course!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Chris (29th May 2008 - 13:32:34) Bring them on! It's about time something was done about speed limits in and around the village!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue (30th May 2008 - 10:57:21) There seems to be a united voice that most roads into Liphook have problems with traffic continuing with their speed past the entry points. Why not look into the single road system, where traffic has to stop/slow down and give priority to leaving traffic. I know this will not stop every driver, but once speed has been reduced/stopped it is less likely for him/her to exceed the limits again. This system works well in Grayshott, Selbourne and Greatham. I don’t like cameras - on the basis of 'revenue' collecting, but am fully aware in certain locations they are vital in life/death situations - I‘m not too sure that the locations mentioned are vital. Also you could incorporate the 'pinch point' system into more roads than the Longmoor one. Also it is worth considering, that if Liphook spawns yellow boxes - will we be sending out the wrong message to visitors and would it make it a lesser place to visit/shop? I know some will say the message is to slow down, but there are many that would also avoid the area like the plague - just because they are there.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (30th May 2008 - 11:57:38) Sue, 'Pinch points' is another option worth considering and might help to maintain the character of the village. Another option would be the solar powered signs that flash your speed if you approach to fast, these do seem to slow drivers down, and could also have a 'children sign' attached - in the right areas - which is something else you don't get on speed cameras.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn hoskins (30th May 2008 - 14:19:00) I hate those things in Grayshott. I don’t think they reduce the speed driving though the village centre – just make all traffic grind to a halt on its way in! This is annoying, wastes time and if anything makes you want to speed up to make up for the time you have lost sitting in a queue. I think that what thy have allowed ie: the parking of cars up and down the road - to narrow it down – is what makes you slow down (and sometimes physically hold your breath as you wonder how two cars can possibly get past each other as you approach the village hall!). If we started ‘parking up’ cars down Lynchborough Road – that would certainly prevent the bloody great HGV’s from zooming in and out! Mind you, the road is so narrow that it would probably prevent them from entering the Business Centre at all…….

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue (30th May 2008 - 19:31:57) Dawn Surely you are not advocating speed cameras down Lynchborough road too!! The problems you face there should surely be directed to the operators of the Business Park, after all its a residents issue more than a general road user one? I think the suggestion of flashing signs much more pro-active and surely we all need to be made aware of how we are driving and not just being caught in one place and fined. Its unfortunate that you find the alternatives so annoying and have the desire to speed up afterwards. Along a neighbouring road to where we lived, they installed pinch points, we were all horrified and complained, as it made us wait - but after a number of weeks, we got used to it, and it made our joining the road much safer. The majority of drivers wait in turn and it is just a normal part of driving. The speed reduced, no accidents and no big brother.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue (31st May 2008 - 09:27:40) Having just read the post under Silent Garden, the proposal to put in pinch points etc by the Church Centre, would make the placement of a camera near the Sorting Office useless. I wonder if the two departments would converse?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (1st Jun 2008 - 11:54:06) I suppose another alternative is the 'Please Drive Carefully Through Our Village' signs; I know you can always say that some people will find any of these measures annoying, or that they will ignore them, but equally other drivers do seem to respect that people have asked them to drive sensibly...

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (1st Jun 2008 - 12:27:47) Hi sue, no, not speed cameras on Lynchborough. Although a few selfish individuals continue to drive extraordinarily fast approaching the business centre – they are not the norm. The problem here is that HGV’S (for some reason unbeknown to me) decide that instead of going ‘inside’ the business centre, they will park up in Lynchborough Road to have their rest, read their paper, of just get out of the lorry and wander off. As the Road is so narrow, it has often results in people being blocked into their drives. They often park right opposite Arundel Close so you can’t get in or out or the road. Frequently they park on the pavement so dog-walkers / children have to walk in the road. It is just another example of selfishness. Why park in the road when there is a great big car park inside the business centre? If the lorries are too big to get into the business centre then they should be using smaller lorries!! I think that I may start taking photos of the offending vehicles, that way I can send a copy to the owner of the business centre and a copy to the transport police. I know that people get upset about speed cameras, but I think the overwhelming view is that SOMETHING needs to be done about the problem in the village and on the B3004 (Passfield Road). Is it any more (or less) Big Brother-ish to have a real human policemen with a mobile camera than a yellow box? If the box is in a visible place it has the desired effect of slowing traffic a long time before the cars reach it – so it is only the non-observant drivers that end up being ticketed. Also, we haven’t actually heard from anyone ‘in the know’ whether this is even going to happen – so this may all be a storm in a tea cup.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Chris (2nd Jun 2008 - 16:53:04) I was overtaken this morning on the Headley road by a van (company name P and P Glass from Cranleigh) that must have been doing 40mph just prior to the 20mph zone. It nearly took my wing mirror off as well as pulling in too close to the front of my car causing me to break quite hard. Sticking to speed limits obviously frustrates some people.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Clive (2nd Jun 2008 - 17:53:10) I’m a Portsmouth Road resident and certainly agree with the comments above regarding the dangerous speeds up and down the Portsmouth Road and in Liphook generally. Would ‘Sleeping Policemen’ not be an ideal option to slow people down? Has anyone tried driving close to 30 mph down Kings Road in Haslemere recently? I’m not sure how long they’ve had speed ramps there (I lived there 15 years ago when there were none and that road used to have the same problems as highlighted in this thread) but it certainly slows you down. I would think the prospect of damaging your car by going over a speed ramp would easily reduce people’s speed. Why not have a few on each of the approach roads into the centre of Liphook? I queried having a speed ramp in Portsmouth Road with East Hants District Council (can’t remember which department) a couple of years ago when the cycle path was built through Fletchers Field and suggested they had a ramp where the cycle path crosses the Portsmouth Road as you exit Fletchers Field (about halfway down the straight). Thought it would make life easier for cyclists crossing and could also be a deterrent to speeding. I had the usual ‘it’s not our department that deals with that’ conversation so let the matter drop. Are there certain conditions for a road to have speed ramps – the Avenue has schools but why does Tower Road have ramps? I have no idea about the costs of speed ramps but surely there would be no on-going maintenance costs like speed cameras should they be installed. Also I should think it’s quite difficult to vandalise a speed ramp, unlike cameras where I believe the Fernhurst camera has suffered previously and recently seen one near Horsham that has been taken out of action by a disgruntled motorist who set it on fire!! (wasn't me)

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Karen Feeney (2nd Jun 2008 - 20:15:09) What a tremendous idea Clive. I know we, in this house, have discussed that option before and I think your argument makes perfect sense. Let's hope we can take the idea further and try to make a difference for all us 'main road' residents in the village.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (3rd Jun 2008 - 09:38:54) One of the reasons that sleeping-policemen are not used so much now is due to environmental considerations. Cars have to constantly brake and accelerate when negotiating the humps and this uses more fuel etc. I only found this out from speaking to a civil engineer recently, I’m not sure how much of it to take with a pinch of salt or whether there is truth in what he said. Again, it would be nice to hear from one of our councillors to establish whether calming measure are even being discussed for Liphook. It is clearly an important issue for residents and I can’t imagine that there is any reason to be secretive about it?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue w (3rd Jun 2008 - 09:51:48) Speed ramps are very successful at reducing speed - the problem is they actually reduce the speed much more than the limit on the road. My car - for example has low skirts on (there before we purchased it), and however small a bump or curb is I hit it - so for my car and anyone else that has a similar design a speed bump makes me go about 2 mph, which is frustrating for me and builds up traffic behind. The one on tower road (by the PO) is extremely high, just look at the gouges on it. My father took me round a road in Guildford - Pilgrims way - it took about 15 minutes, when it should have been 5! I believe that the emissions are raised when using this system and we have to be careful not to make the build up of traffic greater than it is now, too slow and you will have huge traffic snarlups like in previous years. If on the other hand you have a 4x4, what deterrent is a bump in the road, as I always seem to have one right up my rear when negotiating these bumps? I only caught the end of a news story on Saturday, when they were talking about the new speed cameras, these do not have film, but pictures are transmitted directly to a control room, these cameras will also be used to catch other offences i.e. telephone use, eating non seat belts etc. I believe they have just installed one in Sussex.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue w (3rd Jun 2008 - 10:04:04) Dawn Photographic evidence would be a good way forward. Many years ago, we lived opposite a weekly Market, and you would be surprised how many people parked OVER the resident’s driveways (one even parked in my drive!). When pointing it out and asking them to move, the abuse was horrendous and generally the answer was 'I am only going to be a few minutes'. When in a few minutes you needed access they were still there! The Police were not too helpful and neither were the organisers or council - until I posted off my pictures. Within a few weeks, the organisers placed Police cones and everything was OK

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - nikki (3rd Jun 2008 - 10:28:33) The only traffic management discussions(that I am aware of), concerning Liphook is the possibility of speed indicator devices. This matter was discussed at the highways byways transport meeting in March this year (refer to the minutes on the Parish Council Website). As I have said before, I certainly haven't received any information on Speed Camera's, and if the matter were to be discussed at parish Level, it would be recorded in the Minutes and published on the website. Our next HBT meeting is on the 16th June.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Huw Harrison (3rd Jun 2008 - 12:54:36) Speeding is a problem and when either walking or cycling around the village the speed some people drive at is very worrying. Maybe though if more people used their legs rather than their cars to (for example take their children to school) there would be a few less cars zooming around the village.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (3rd Jun 2008 - 18:09:49) Ha ha, that old chestnut! Trying to get people out of their cars and on to their feet is like telling smokers that it damages their health and fat people to stop eating mars bars…..we all know what we SHOULD do, but being good is harder. Although, if there was a safe alternative for those of us in the rural surrounds – perhaps more parents would encourage it?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (3rd Jun 2008 - 21:20:05) Lets try a different option. How about all those readers here making sure they stick to the speed limits, so if there are drivers doing the correct speed others (apart from the idiot Chris encountered) would have to follow. The amount of speeding cars around Liphook can't just be visitors!!. Its an excerise that makes YOU much more concious of the speed you are actually doing and not what you think. I am not preaching to others - its just after the last speed topic I did exactly that, and often found i was doing more than 20mph from the roundabout to the Sorting office!! Try it, it must be worth a go.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (3rd Jun 2008 - 21:20:21) Ah, I thought 'sleeping policemen' might come up, they do come with some limitations though; in the event of a road accident/back injury generally ambulances have a real problem negotiating speed humps, and in the worst cases the jolt from going over them can seriously worsen a spinal injury. You can 'get round' this probelm by having gaps between 'square' sleeping policemen, but then you are guessing at the wheel base of ambulances, now and in the future, and 4x4s can often avoid them in the same way as the ambulances - so the problem remains unsolved. Another story worth sharing were of residents who complained about the noise from early morning traffic coming out of a diary, and got sleeping policemen as a solution - only to be left listening not only to the lorries and floats going by every morning, but also the entire load of milk bottles being shaken over every speed hump! I have also read that now speed cameras use digital film literally tens of thousands of photos can be taken and saved to disk, rather than the previously limited number, and the 'flash but no fine' that went with them. So I suppose the point is 'be careful what you wish for'!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Phil MN (30th Jun 2008 - 17:09:28) Please, no sleeping policemen! My car doesn't like them, it grounds out on the front splitter as I go over them. Plus as has been identified here, they have a negative environmental impact and contribute to noise pollution (engine revs increasing when driving away from them). I have already stored the mobile camera locations in my Road Angel, so they are on the national database already. However, I don't speed around Liphook or condone speeding, so am not personally troubled by speed cameras. Kind regards, PMN

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (1st Jul 2008 - 11:48:41) Phil Just curious - if you don't speed, and cameras don't bother you, why take the time to put them on your Road Angel?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Steve (2nd Jul 2008 - 08:02:51) Or why have a road angel? For those who don't know it is GPS device that tells you where all Speed Cameras are. It can also have a radar detector fitted to it to give you pre-warning of any mobile cameras. Why not go the whole way and have a laser jammer fitted an LE30 or something, these things work well if you want to avoid being caught, oh but u don't speed do you. My mistake. :-)

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Clive B (2nd Jul 2008 - 19:45:38) I still think sleeping policemen are the answer to slow vehicles down. They don't have to be as high as the one by the Co-op on Tower Road. By the way, as I asked above, why are they in the Tower Road? I'm not sure about the ambulance point of view - surely ambulances can still drive along this road! What if people in this road need help - how does an ambulance cope? Sleeping Policemen are the best deterrent. If you want to drive over them at speed, then as a driver you will lose out in the long run by causing damage to your car. Environmental arguement or not, what do people want? Safer roads and less potential accidents/casualties must be the way to go - NOT worrying about emmissions. Do people worry about emmissions in the mornings or afternoons when the village is at a stand still due to rush hour, school runs....etc and engines are constantly running and cars stopping and revving up as they move a few yards further? I doubt they do, so why should we worry if a vehicle has to slow down and then speed up a little by driving across something that stops people speeding?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (2nd Jul 2008 - 20:22:29) Clive, Those 'sleeping policemen' do damage to some cars even going over them at 2-5mph. What sense is it to have a limit of 20, or 30, if you reduce that to far less? Surely, the aim is to have all drivers doing the designated (or just under), speed and not slow it down to a snails pace. I avoid the Avenue like the plague, because of them - which is ok as there are other alternative roads to use. If Liphook spawned them on all roads then I for one would find myself going elsewhere, and it maybe a deterrant for most needed visitors and shoppers to the Village.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (3rd Jul 2008 - 10:00:58) Does anyone have any 'actual' news about this - is it going ahead or not?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - nikki (3rd Jul 2008 - 10:22:16) There have been discussions on speed INDICATOR devices at our Highways Meetings at the Parish Council: "19/08 TRAFFIC SPEEDS Traffic Management at Hampshire County Council have advised that it is hoped Speed Indicator Devices can be implemented in 2008, but no further details are known yet. Decision: Asst Clerk to continue to pursue implementation with Hampshire County Council." Minutes here. I have certainly not heard about the implementation of speed cameras, yet.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Chris (3rd Jul 2008 - 12:39:15) It seems from the minutes that there are a lot of things "to be done" by HCC (and the Highways Agency). With safety such a paramount issue the foot dragging is woeful and frustrating. Weeks/months go by and they just seem to do nothing but meet and consult and meet again and consult ad nauseam. What is it going to take to get them to actually make a decision and do something? We have all been advising them of the problems caused by the current shortfall in safety measures for YEARS now especially when lives have been adversely affected! Yes they put up some signs but these are just ignored. Make the decision HCC...approve the speed indicators/cameras in and around Liphook and sort out the issue of safety at Passfield (starting by at least replacing the 50mph signs with 40mph ones...this week-end would be nice!). Just do it and stop faffing around!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Niall G (5th Jul 2008 - 16:29:49) It's not about speed cameras, but...I see Westminster, and several other Councils, have recently given up on car clamping as a 'traffic management method'. So, after years of cost, legislation, inconvenience and conflicting arguments the Councils have decided that the expense and aggravation have exceeded the benefits. Interesting...

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - PMN (6th Jul 2008 - 13:07:42) Hi Sue W I should explain! I use a Road Angel for it's intended purpose - blackspots, schools, safety alerts and yes speed cameras. I once very genuinely passed a police speed check at about 35 in a 30 zone as I took my eye off the road for a moment while going down a hill in Reading. Police gave me a lecture, but accepted it was genuine. Since that day, I use a Road Angel - not to speed at crazy speeds then brake to a legal limit, but rather to stay alert at all times! And, uploading the location is legal and potentially useful to other Road Angel users. As mentioned, I don't condone speeding but do accept that any driver can accidentally exceed a limit for a moment in various circumstances, but for me being legal at all times is more important! Kind regards, PMN

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (7th Jul 2008 - 10:40:08) Phil Thanks for your explanation. It highlights the fact, that drivers lose concentration, and that is when most accidents happen. I appreciate your honesty, and I think ALL of us at sometime - even those who have been jumping up and down about their own particular 'patch' are probably not as conscious when passing someone else’s driveway or approaching a junction. Putting up any devise that will slow traffic down, should be considered a good thing, but to be honest what device do you carry or anyone else to remind you of your speed - when the Road Angel is not needed - for instance on a road without camera traps. Perhaps they should design cars with warning bells when any speed restriction has been breached. (My car has cruise control, which is excellent - as the car will not go above the set speed) It does make it an interesting debate, when some are using this technology to avoid fines, when others may not have the resources to have one, and are left to their own awareness (at all times) to be a responsible driver. Does is lead to more lack of concentration, because you are not having to think for yourself?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - PMN (7th Jul 2008 - 22:26:16) Hi Sue Again, just speaking personally I think I am sufficiently aware of my driving speeds / style to make sure I drive responsibly and legally at all times, but I could not claim to be infallible! My Road Angel is very much a last resort, but I would agree that potentially some drivers might be inclined to spend more time analysing their speed instead of just driving to the limit and keeping their eye's outside the car's interior! Hardly condusive to overall road safety! As you say, a good proportion of modern cars now have features to either hold a speed or advise of limits, so there really is no excuse for driving in excess of the limit if appropriate technology / safety aids are used. Mind you, due to congestion and fuel costs I would imagine / hope that most of us driver's are adjusting our speeds accordingly! Best regards, PMN

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (16th Jul 2008 - 10:35:32) I heard today that the cost of maintaining speed cameras falls at the feet of local councils and runs into thousands and thousands per year – yet any revenue which arises as a consequence of the speed camera is only allowed to go the central government. I think we have found the reason for not having them!! Loss of life at dangerous junctions and proven accident blackspots, like Passfield junction, still cost local councils less than a speed camera…………… I find the lack of action by my representatives [at parish, county and centralgovernment level] regarding Passfield junction and the incredible speeds that motorists drive at when approaching the junction absolutely shocking. In recent months we have had collsions with both the central village sign and also the little 'Passfield' sign on Lynchborough Road. Both have been smashed and hang lifelessly on one leg. This sort of thing does not happen when cars are driving carefully - they only spin off into road signs when they are out of control. Meanwhile, we continue to be blasted by the temporary speed gun parked in the sorting office car park where - to my knowledge there has never been an accident of any sort! Priorities?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - G Renouf (16th Jul 2008 - 18:58:54) The reason the speed camera is at the old sorting office is because of the stupid speed cars and bikes use the road at. And yes they do catch a lot of people there Some who should know better. You can hear the motorbike revving up at the square and they fly past at well over the 30mph limit and by the time they get to the old jet site I hate to think what speed they have achieved. I am not having a go at all motorbikes some are very sensible but there a few who could not care (some local people too) PS There have been several accidents along the Portsmouth road. After living here for 31 years you see a few sights. Also SWT buses are not the slowest road users. Remember you are supposed to stay below 20mph from the village until you get to the 30 Limit (ie the maximum you should be driving) Linking to another thread re Silent garden when the houses are built there will be further traffic calming measures in place south of the church centre turning and just south of the old sorting office. So be warned It is easy really don't speed and you want get caught Or is that to simple ??

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (19th Jul 2008 - 11:56:19) I wasn’t aware that there had been several accidents near the sorting office, so I apologise for getting that wrong – and thank you for pointing it out. I was listening to a police man the other day saying that the best speed cameras are the ones that don’t catch anyone – because all the drivers have been driving properly! This is so true. I was not aware that the road near the sorting office was an accident blackspot, and I worry that cameras – mobile or not – are being put in places where revenue is guaranteed rather than in places which are well known accident blackspots / fatality sites. It is for this reason that I question the priorities of the people choosing the locations for these ‘sting’ operations. All accidents are bad, wherever they occur, but at Passfield we have more than our fair share. Some as minor as spinning off into road signs and demolishing them; some much more serious which involve death of local people. Sadly, it usually seems to be the law abiding drivers that gets killed - rather than the idiots speeding over the junction. We did think some time ago that we were to be included in the ‘village 30’ scheme – but that was denied us due to the restrictive and pedantic [literal definition] given to the word ‘village’. Whereas Liphook can at least feel comforted that the village roads are designated 30 zones and most sensible drivers comply with this, at Passfield we have the laughable road signs telling us to ‘SLOW’ right next to the 50 mph signs. Quite frankly, it would be progress if the idiots would slow down to 50 instead of the ridiculous speeds they drive at! Just because the law seems to allow me to take that corner at 50mph – does not mean it is safe to do so!! I still cannot believe that no progress seems to be being made to reduce the legal limit here; to enforce the 50mph that already exists; to replace the smashed ‘Passfield’ sign on Hollywater Road or to replace the smashed sign at the B3004 junction. I support any placing of speed cameras in Liphook, just like the majority of contributors to this site, and agree that if you are driving within the law then you should have nothing to worry about – I just wish that areas which are terrible blackspots that have continuous prangs would be considered first.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - claire (19th Jul 2008 - 17:46:50) well I suppose this will all be by the by soon when none of us can afford fuel. I intend having a twin reined, oats injected donkey with a 'go faster ' stripe. Not sure what Clarkson will make of it!

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (21st Jul 2008 - 19:25:55) Just to get away from who 'deserves' cameras more than others - and yes Dawn, the placement of revenue collecting cameras is exactly why I don’t like them!! I will share with you a (shocking), piece of a conversation I overheard in a local Building Society. (not in Liphook, but this prat uses local roads). A young male between 17-19 was talking (or trying to impress) a new girlfriend. He made a comment that he now avoids the A3 because he cant do 90mph anymore, and loves to travel anywhere at speed. So picks the back roads instead. He then said, once the tunnel is complete he can then continue with 90!! God help us all. NB He also said that he is very funny when drunk and becomes extremely intelligent!! Just hopes he leaves his car at home.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Frank Baldry (8th Aug 2008 - 16:30:23) Hallelujah!! Electronic speed warning signs have appeared in Haslemere Road and are busy flashing away. Will they work?

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Dawn Hoskins (9th Aug 2008 - 14:17:04) Well done to all those who have been working away to get the speed reduced at Passfield Junction. Although 30mph would have been preferable, 40mph is a good start at least - especially for the vehicles driving past the entrance to Lynchborough Road. The only thing I am concerned about is the enforcement of the new limit. Seeing as the 50mph has been blatantly ignored by idiots for so long and never been enforced by traffic police (with the Passfield straight used as a race track ), those people who chose to speed have been doing so in the knowledge that they will never be caught here. Could someone 'in the know' confirm whether steps will be taken to uphold the new regime please.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Editor (29th Aug 2008 - 21:26:50) The Haslemere Road electronic speed signs worked well for the first few days. The east bound sign (towards Haslemere) lit as nearly ever car approached, followed by brake lights ! But recently I've spotted that cars didn't seem to go as slow past it - in fact, unfortunately it has broken, and the council haven't been and tested it I guess. So, council, please note - it needs to be fixed - hope it is under warranty.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Sue W (29th Aug 2008 - 21:50:38) Oh drat ..... I thought I was driving carefully - the light did not flash!! Joking aside - it proves that these work (when they work [Irish or what?]) Lets have some more on other roads.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Chris (29th Aug 2008 - 22:10:44) As nice as the signs are, they are too benign and are not an effective long term deterrant; people just end up ignoring them after a while. The only real deterrant is a financial penalty.

Re: Liphook speed cameras? - Mike Grimes (29th Aug 2008 - 23:15:56) I've just learnt of a system used in Portugal where a car's speed is detected and, if over the limit, traffic lights further down the road change to red. This is accompanied by cameras that photograph red light abuse. This makes sure that there is no benefit from speeding or that the speed camera fine becomes avoidable by taking the stop/go penalty.

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