I REFER to the contribution "Parasiting the innocent driver" (Your Letters, Jan 15) from Fiat Lux and wish to respond to the writer's inaccurate comments regarding speed cameras.

The council, in conjunction with the police and other organisations, is committed to reducing the terrible toll of traffic injuries on the roads around our borough. This is one of the main issues of concern which emerged from consultation with residents and is highlighted in local community plans across the six area boards. The council's road safety plan identifies four main ways of tackling the problem, through education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement. In respect of encouragement and enforcement, the introduction of speed cameras at critical locations has proved to be a very successful method of reducing traffic speeds and contributes effectively to increased road safety.

For example, nationally 47 per cent fewer people, in particular children and pedestrians, are killed or seriously injured at camera sites. Also, on average the percentage of drivers exceeding the speed limit at camera sites has reduced from 55 per cent to 16 per cent. Within Greater Manchester, the police do not rely on fixed sites alone, but also use mobile speed cameras.

To clarify, speed cameras are installed by the council, as the highway authority, but they are managed and operated by the police. Contrary to popular belief, in Greater Manchester penalty fines are not retained by the council or the police, but are collected through the courts and passed to the Treasury.

Speeding is breaking the law and is dangerous. Fiat Lux should welcome speed cameras and, if driving within the speed limit, have no cause for concern. Speed cameras are an effective tool in the ongoing battle to reduce the number and severity of road injuries and to improve safety.

COUNCILLOR JULIE HIGSON,

executive member for

environment & transport.