New speed camera plan blocked

Rebel council chiefs are blocking plans to install new speed cameras on key London roads.

They were told to erect 18 new traps at accident blackspots pinpointed by the Mayor's experts.

But they are defying the order, claiming cameras are being used to milk motorists.

Bromley council also claims that cameras distract drivers.

Today the council was condemned by safety campaigners and accused of putting lives at risk.

But Bromley said it would continue to install more "friendly" speed-warning devices such as chicanes and kerb build-outs instead.

George Taylor, Bromley's cabinet member for the environment, said: "Too often [cameras] have been used for raising cash rather than preventing accidents."

Bromley said it expects to beat its official accident reduction targets.

Mr Taylor said it was estimated that 159 people would be killed or seriously injured on its roads - 34 per cent fewer than in 1998.

He dismissed a 20 per cent rise in casualties in the first nine months of last year as a "blip", made to look worse by good figures for 2003.