NORTHUMBRIA SAFETY CAMERA PARTNERSHIP - OPEN UP OR SHUT DOWN

North East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has called for an immediate review of the future of the Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership. Despite a promise back in January to let him see the balance sheets of the partnership there is still no sign of them and the partnership has now delayed a promised meeting with Martin until the middle of June.

Speaking today Martin Callanan said:

'Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership has been accused of being secretive about its revenue raising and unfortunately their actions over the past week have done nothing to alter my concerns on this matter. The suspicion is that some speed cameras are simply being used to raise £3million a year to sustain this public body, rather than being used purely in the interests of road safety. It is vitally important that any public organisation has transparent financial records and there is no reason at all why I, as an elected politician for the North East, should not be able to scrutinise the way public money is used.'

'So far the partnership has refused requests from myself and journalists to come clean on their expenditure. Today I am calling on the partnership to make it clear how much money is being raised through each speed camera, and what this money is being spent on. There is no reason why they cannot do this and, if they refuse, then it seriously calls into question the future of the organisation.'

Martin continued:

'Road safety is an incredibly important issue and many speed cameras in towns and villages are an important part of keeping cars to sensible speeds. However there is still a lot of public disquiet about the overuse of the cameras in non-built up areas and a suspicion that a number of cameras are simply being used as money making tools. The Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership has done absolutely nothing to address these genuine concerns.'

ENDS

Note to Editor: Photo of Martin next to speed camera available

For further information please contact Martin Callanan (07974 254921) or James Cook (07966 595075)