Why this speed camera in Bournemouth has not worked for 10 years

The speed camera in Magna Road, Bear Cross, heading towards Poole, was subjected to three separate suspected arson attacks between 2010 and 2012. 

Dorset Police say the camera will not be replaced as it was agreed it would not be included in the country-wide upgrade to digital cameras in 2020. 

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “The static speed camera in Magna Road has previously been the subject of three suspected arson attacks.  

Speed camera in Magna Road (Image: Daily Echo)

“This has resulted in the complete loss of the equipment, which has been replaced on two previous occasions. 

“Following discussions with local partners, it was agreed that the camera would not be included as part of the county wide upgrade to digital systems and therefore it will not be replaced.” 

Read more: Motorist receives a speeding ticket in Barrack Road driving under the limit

Read more: Motorists "wrongfully" issued speeding tickets on A338

Around £400,000 was spent by Dorset Police nearly three years ago to overhaul the speed camera systems in the county from wet film cameras to digital. 

This included 30 sites capable of facilitating the newer detection cameras, with 20 cameras rotated through those sites. 

A speed camera in Barrack Road (Image: Daily Echo)

The digital cameras are capable of covering up to four lanes of traffic and do not require secondary road markings – white lines – to function. 

It is not an average speed camera like those on A338 Spur Road from north of Blackwater to Cooper Dean. Instead the camera detects and digitally transmits traffic speed violations using a 4G signal. 

The spokesman for the force added: “We remain committed to ensuring motorists drive responsibly in the area and speed enforcement has continued in the vicinity with the deployment of our safety camera vans and patrols by officers from our No Excuse road safety team.” 

Read more: A338 Spur Road speed cameras were turned off for 49 weeks

Speed cameras in parts of Bournemouth have received criticism from residents for allegedly “not being accurate”. 

Hundreds of residents created a group during the summer to challenge their speeding tickets along the A338, which they were adamant they didn’t commit. 

Dorset Police say its cameras are accurate and regularly calibrated.