FOLLOWING concerns from residents about the dangers of cars speeding down Slag Lane/Frogmore Road, town councillors have started to investigate the possibility of installing an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) at the existing ‘bus only’ gate.
The system would photograph and potentially fine those that don’t follow the road signs in the area.
Cllr Mike Sutton, chair of the town council’s Highways, Planning & Development committee said, “We’re well aware of the problems that have arisen from Slag Lane. One of the answers could be putting up ANPR gates there which takes a photograph of every vehicle that goes through it and will be given a ticket by the unitary authority and can be fined.”
The money gained from the fines would revert back to Wiltshire Council as they will own the system, but payment for the construction of the service will fall on the shoulders of the town council.
Wiltshire Council have made it clear that the maintenance will be the responsibility of the town council, as well as the installation costs which could be up to £20,000.
Cllr Sutton added, “I don’t think the prime issue is that we won’t have the money, the prime issue is that the ANPR gate would stop people abusing that road. I’m not asking that we spend a fortune, more that we get the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) to investigate the costs.”
