New safety cameras on Peafield Lane set to halve accident numbers

Early signs have shown that safety cameras Nottinghamshire County Council installed on Peafield Lane in Mansfield Woodhouse this summer are already beginning to "significantly reduce accidents".
Between Jan 2014 and Dec 2017, there were eleven road accidents along this section of Peafield Lane in total.Between Jan 2014 and Dec 2017, there were eleven road accidents along this section of Peafield Lane in total.
Between Jan 2014 and Dec 2017, there were eleven road accidents along this section of Peafield Lane in total.

Plans to install average speed cameras on the 50mph stretchof the lane (A6075) between Forest Road mini roundabout and Dennor Drive in Mansfield Woodhouse were brought forward last year after there had been a number of accidents on this section of road which raised concerns about safety.

Lewis Crouch, 16, died after a crash between a car and a moped on Peafield Lane, in Mansfield Woodhouse, on February 3, 2017.

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Based on the success of previous schemes, the council estimates that the cameras will lead to at least a 50 per cent reduction in accidents along this stretch of the lane.

Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place Committee, Councillor John Cottee said: “During 2017 there were three fatalities along this part of Peafield Lane beyond the built-up area. These understandably sparked concerns amongst local residents and ourselves about safety on this stretch of road.”

Between Jan 2014 and Dec 2017, there were eleven road accidents along this section of Peafield Lane in total.

“We listened to these concerns and investigated how safety could be improved; and after careful examination into the wide range of circumstances involved in these collisions, we concluded that average speed cameras were the best and most appropriate solution. Our previous schemes along the route have had some success, including the 50mph speed limit itself which was introduced in 2012, but the recent rise in collisions more than justifies this further intervention," Coun Cottee explained.

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“We also know from the results of a speed survey we carried out in 2017 that a large proportion of vehicles travelling in both directions travel above the 50mph speed limit. And due to the severity of the accidents along the lane, we expect that lower vehicle speeds, will result in a significant reduction in the severity of accidents.”

The council also reduced the speed limit along this section of road from 60mph to 50mph in 2012.

County councillors gave the go-ahead for the cameras, at a cost of £150,000, just over a year ago and works to install them began in February this year.

Similar installations around Nottinghamshire have achieved a reduction in accidents by almost 70 per cent.

Peafield Lane will continue to be actively monitored by Via East Midlands, on behalf of the County Council.