New speed camera still out of action

Jun 28 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A NEW speed camera to catch boy racers has still not been switched on - almost two months after it was revealed it had been put in the wrong place.

Road safety chiefs can't use the Gatso camera in Bordesley because it is hidden behind a giant road sign and breaches visibility guidelines.

Transport chiefs have decided to move the sign - but work has yet to start.

Coun Tahir Ali (Lab, Nechells) said: "It's ridiculous it's taking so long. It's things like this where residents lose confidence in the way the local authority does business.

"The residents and partners fought very hard to get the cameras installed in the first place. I'm disappointed it has taken such a long time."

The speed camera was put up in Watery Lane Middleway, Bordesley, at the end of April to put the brakes on drivers using the road for drag racing.

But the distinctive grey and yellow box falls foul of rules which state it should be visible to drivers from at least 60 metres.

A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said: "It is believed the camera is in the best position for it. After further review it was decided the sign should be relocated rather than the camera.

"An alternative location for the sign is being investigated, but they need to check whether any utilities will require relocation, before finally moving the sign."

Residents won special permission to site the camera because of the boy racer problem which has blighted their lives for years.

Crowds up to 1,000 car fanatics routinely gather in the area at weekends to show off their high-performance cars.