HELENSBURGH is the top priority for CCTV to be installed in Argyll and Bute, the town’s police inspector has reported.
Inspector Bart Simonis has also told councillors that officers know where the cameras will be placed once they are installed, having been secured through funding.
A councillor has also raised the possibility of average speed cameras being retained on the A82 beside Loch Lomond all year round, with the devices due to return.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Tuesday, June 9.
Councillor Ian MacQuire (Independent, Helensburgh Central) asked Inspector Simonis for an update on CCTV for the town.
The officer responded: “Helensburgh is the first on the list. We have been prioritised because of the lack of CCTV that we currently have.
“We are looking at the final stage of governance structure, but funding has been approved and we know where the cameras will be placed.
“We are getting through where the viewing stations will be, and hopefully the work can be started soon.”
The inspector had previously written in a report: “The average speed cameras in Luss go live in June and are being deployed on a temporary basis following an increase of speeds and injury collisions on the A82 between Luss and Tarbet.
“This site was previously enforced by Police Scotland Safety Cameras at several locations across the route using the mobile enforcement van.
“The average speed cameras, which replaced the mobile enforcement temporarily, have been shown to be more effective at enforcing speed limits over a greater distance, and discouraging dangerous driver behaviours as they enforce 24/7.”
Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) asked: “Is there any possibility we could look at leaving the cameras up all year round? While I know they are there because of greater traffic, in the winter, it is darker for longer.
“You can feel how much safer the road is because drivers know they are in an average speed camera area.”
Inspector Simonis responded: “If it was me taking the decision, I would absolutely support that.
“But it is a separate division who assess how successful it has been over the summer and how many accidents and fatalities there have been.
“When you think how long it took to get the [speed] cameras into Cardross, it was through the suggestion of a real issue. “
