But angry locals have been left fuming after claiming it is ‘hidden’
A speed camera in Devon has been branded the ‘most lucrative’ in Britain after it issued 6,000 fines in just eight weeks. The camera, located on Ashburton Road in Newton Abbot, was first activated in August and by October 10, it had recorded nearly 6,000 speeding offences in a 30mph zone, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Locals are fuming over the camera, claiming it is sneakily hidden behind bushes and that the signage is inadequate. A Facebook group named ‘A383 Ashburton Road speed camera victims’ has been set up for those affected.
One disgruntled motorist posted: “Just had 4 fines. 2 in one day! I didn’t see the sign for camera. I was going between 34 and 38. Only ever had 3 points in 35 years. I will lose my licence . Can anyone help with advice. I’m heartbroken.”
Another driver shared their frustration, saying: “I would like to think that I am safety conscious having had no speeding convictions for 24 years. However got caught here twice in one week.”
A third added: “Sure this camera falls foul somewhere? Its not in a yellow box for a start its strapped to a lamp post? We should all get together and fight this, as one person on there own is not going to win but as a group we might stand a chance.”
One outraged local declared: ”This has got to be the most lucrative speed camera anywhere. Outrageous.”
Devon and Cornwall police has defended the camera, stating that nine collisions causing injury were recorded on Ashburton Rd between 2019 and 2023, three of which were serious. The force said it ‘provided advanced notice of the camera and posted its specific location and capability on their Facebook page before enforcement took place’.
It added: “Devon Live and the Mid Devon Advertiser were tagged and both ran stories on it. The post alone was viewed over 350,000 times.”
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Police also claimed they asked residents to cut back hedges obstructing the camera, which they said was done before enforcement began. Dominic Smith, director of Patterson Law, said: “The speed limit has always been 30mph on the road and is denoted by a system of street lighting, so any arguments about poor signage will fall on deaf ears.
“Likewise, there is no legal requirement for the police to put a speed camera in plain sight, so whether it is hidden is irrelevant. Instead, motorists who are going to be caused significant hardship by a disqualification ought to seek urgent legal advice on how to take their cases to court and argue their case.”
Devon County Council and Devon and Cornwall Police have defended their position earlier this month. In a joint statement to Plymouth Live, they said: “Nine injury collisions were recorded on this section of the A383 Ashburton Road between 2019–2023, which included three serious collisions. Seven of these collisions, including all three serious collisions, involved injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
“The safety camera was installed because of this history of injury collisions, and because of the findings of subsequent traffic speed surveys which identified that typical traffic speeds on this road overnight, from 10pm to 7am, were between 40mph and 53mph. During the daytime, surveys found over 100 vehicles per hour travelling at high speeds within this 30mph limit.
“Sadly, the initial levels of non-compliance detected by the camera has validated our concerns, so please comply with the speed limit. This road has always been 30mph since it was built, and it’s close to a children’s play park, family centre, sheltered housing accommodation, and two secondary schools in Newton Abbot.
“There are camera warning signs and 30mph reminder signs in place on both approaches to the camera, even though there is no legal requirement to do so. Landowners cut back their hedges and shrubs, as requested, before the camera was installed and it was in place for almost a month before enforcement started.
“Neither Devon County Council or Devon and Cornwall Police receive any revenue from speed camera fines. As members of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, we are committed to doing everything we can to halve serious and fatal collisions by 2030. We know speed is a major contributory factor in serious and fatal collisions.
“It gives drivers less time to react and significantly increases the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash. Anything we can do to encourage slower speeds, reduce the severity of injury collisions and save lives, has to be worthwhile.”
