New speed cameras set for North Devon roads

New speed cameras are set to be introduced on the A361 in North Devon as part of a £5 million safety scheme aimed at reducing collisions and promoting safer driving habits.

The Gazette previously reported that Devon County Council’s cabinet had approved the plans, which include installing a mix of spot speed, average speed, and artificial intelligence (AI) cameras along high-risk sections of the route between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.

The scheme, funded in 2024 through the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund, targets dangerous driving behaviours such as mobile phone use and failure to wear seatbelts.

Three spot speed cameras will be installed at Knowle, Ilfracombe, and Ashford, while two average speed systems will monitor stretches between Ashford and Chivenor and between Knowle and Mullacott Cross. 

These measures will help manage speeds, particularly on the 50mph dual carriageway.

AI cameras will focus on tackling driver distractions and improving seatbelt compliance. During a trial in August 2024, the cameras detected 1,363 instances of seatbelt violations and 436 mobile phone offences in just four weeks.

The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by the end of next year, 2026, with further improvements such as junction upgrades and pedestrian and cycle crossings to follow in subsequent years.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said the measures aim to save lives by encouraging safer driving habits.

“A third of all fatal collisions across Devon and Cornwall involved someone not wearing a seatbelt. If we can encourage more drivers and passengers to wear them, we can save lives.

“I’m proud that Devon continues to lead the way in using the latest technology to make our roads safer for everyone.”

The Vision Zero South West partnership, which includes Devon County Council, local emergency services, and National Highways, is working to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the region’s roads.