*Council leader Nesil Caliskan, London Assembly member Joanne McCartney and deputy mayor Heidi Alexander survey the scene on the A10 (credit Enfield Council)*

Report by Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Safety cameras will be installed along a major Enfield road to crack down on speeding and dangerous driving.

A system of permanent safety cameras will be fitted along the A10 by the end of the year, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.

It is hoped the measure will put a stop to street racers and other dangerous drivers following a string of accidents on the road, which runs from the M25 in the north of the borough to Haringey in the south.

TfL will roll out a system of temporary speed cameras along a stretch of road from Bullsmoor Lane to Southbury Road, during the spring. It is currently designing a permanent safety camera system to be put in place later in the year.

Police launched a crackdown on dangerous driving on the A10 in May 2019, which has to 41 arrests, 66 vehicle seizures and more than 900 drivers reported for excessive speed – the highest recorded was 127mph.

With police resources under strain, however, Labour and Conservative councillors called for average speed cameras to be installed on the A10 as a permanent deterrent. While there are several ordinary speed cameras along a section of the road, these are clearly marked and unable to catch drivers who speed up once they are out of range.

TfL said it could not yet confirm whether the permanent safety measures would be average speed cameras or a different solution. The police operation will continue until the temporary speed cameras are up and running. Detective Superintendent Andy Cox, from the roads and transport policing command, said he was “fully supportive” of the cameras.

Joanne McCartney, the London Assembly member for Enfield, visited the A10 last month and said: “I first asked about cameras in 2007 and since then I’ve regularly raised it with TfL and the mayor of London.

“There has been racing up and down here for a number of years. We’ve had complaints from residents about the noise, about not being able to sleep, so I’ve been regularly raising it. I’m really glad TfL finally agreed to put cameras back along this stretch of road.”

Deputy Mayor of London for Transport Heidi Alexander said a “very strong case” had been made locally about the need for cameras. She added: “The mayor is committed to a ‘Vision Zero’ target – we don’t think any death or injury on London’s roads is acceptable – and reducing speed is part of that bigger piece of work to make roads safer.

“People have been killed here. It creates quite a hostile environment for people and I’m really pleased we are going to get these cameras.”

Council leader Nesil Caliskan said: “This will make the roads safer, Enfield safer, and I think it will make a more pleasant environment for residents. Speeding isn’t just about the danger that’s created, but also fumes and the noise, and I think it will give people confidence that it is a safe environment.”

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