Upcoming speed limit change on A38 Queensway, Birmingham
3 Mar 2010

Birmingham City Council are in the process of reducing the speed limit along the A38 Queensway through Birmingham city centre from 40 mph to 30 mph. This will affect the entire length of road from Bristol Street to where it becomes the Aston Expressway, including the associated roundabouts at Holoway Circus, Paradise Circus and Lancaster Circus.

An advisory speed limit of 20 mph is currently in place on the Lancaster Circus flyover due to ongoing maintenance work which is unrelated to the change in speed limit.

Man jailed for perverting the course of justice
9 Feb 2010

A private hire taxi driver has been sentenced to 7 months imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.

Over a three year period Rafaqat Ali, a private hire driver licensed by Walsall Council, falsely nominated other drivers for three separate safety camera activations. An investigation by the Camera Enformcement Unit led to three charges of doing an act/series of acts intended to pervert the course of justice being brought against Mr Ali, who pleaded guilty to all charges before Birmingham Crown Court on 29 January.

Lisa Newmarsh from the West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme said:

"This is another prime example showing people who attempt to avoid prosecution by making false nominations will be caught and will face serious consequences—in this case a 7 month prison sentence as apposed to a £60 fine and 3 penalty points.

"We urge offenders to think about the consequences if contemplating making false nominations—our team of highly skilled enquiry officers are trained to investigate all speeding matters and identify and prosecute those drivers who attempt to pervert the course of justice."

New cameras in Dudley
22 Jan 2010

Two new speed cameras have been installed in the Dudley area.

The newly commissioned camera on the A4123 Birmingham New Road, near Vicarage Road West, has been installed following seven serious collisions and twenty-eight collisions resulting in slight injuries during the 2005-2007 baseline period.

The camera on the A458 Park Road, near Hingley Road, has been installed as a result of five serious collisions and sixteen collisions resulting in slight injuries during baseline period of 2004-2006.

It is hoped that both cameras will reduce collisions and help to make the roads safer for road users.