New safety camera system, SPECS, takes shape on the A77

Work is progressing on the new high-tech safety camera system designed to help reduce accidents and casualties on the A77 from Bogend Toll, north of Ayr, to Ardwell, south of Girvan. Although the system is not due to be operational until mid- July, the first gantries and cameras are now appearing along the 46 km stretch of the road.

SPECS, Speed Enforcement Camera System, is the first of its kind to be installed in Scotland and will be operated by the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership, a joint initiative by police and local authorities.

Neil Macgillivray, Partnership spokesperson and member of the A77 Safety Group, said:

“Our aim is to encourage drivers to slow down and thereby cut accidents on this route. SPECS cameras are already in use in some parts of England and there has been a very encouraging drop in accidents involving serious and fatal injuries at their locations.

“This is a digital safety camera system that measures the time it takes for a vehicle to travel between various points along a stretch of road. The system will be launched with a great deal of publicity and there will be advisory signs to remind drivers that they are in a speed controlled zone.

“The primary aim of the safety cameras is to influence driver behaviour and to improve safety along the route. Catching increased numbers of speeding motorists is not the aim.”

The installation of the camera system is just one of a range of road safety measures being undertaken through the multi-agency task force, the A77 Safety Group.

Gordon Allan, Amey’s Unit Manager for the South West trunk road unit commented:

“Amey are pleased to assist the Scottish Government and the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership in the design and implementation of SPECS on the A77. The system, which is being piloted in Scotland, will also support the shared aims of the A77 Safety Group, reducing the number and severity of accidents by controlling vehicle speeds over a long section of the route. I believe the communities and road users along the A77 will welcome the influence this system will have on driver behaviour and speed."

The A77 Safety Group was formed in response to concerns about the number of fatal and serious road traffic accidents on this route. A total of 314 accidents have occurred on this section of the A77 between January 1999 and May 2004, resulting in 15 fatal accidents and 78 serious injury accidents to drivers and passengers.

There has been, and will continue to be a significant investment in engineering improvements by the Scottish Government to improve road safety. However, the full benefits of these measures will only be recognised through the ongoing support of the Group members to change driver behaviour via education initiatives, speed enforcement and safety awareness campaigns, targeting all A77 road users.

June 2005