County council considers putting up seven new speed cameras - including one on a hotspot near Harborough

The leader of Harborough council is stepping up his calls for speed cameras to be set up on a notorious stretch of the A6 linking Great Glen to Kibworth.

Cllr Phil King spoke out as Leicestershire County Council gear up to discuss rolling out more average speed cameras across the county following a successful trial.

The authority is considering introducing up to a further seven average speed camera sites.

Angry Phil said: “It will be very disappointing if fixed speed cameras are not set up on the A6 between Great Glen and Kibworth.

“Every time the police go along there to monitor drivers they catch maniacs hitting lunatic speeds.

“They have turned that stretch of road into a lethal racetrack – and it’s got to stop.”

The Conservative council boss said the county council has to act urgently to prevent a tragedy on the busy A6.

“I am sick and fed-up of making the same old point.

“I have been calling for speed cameras on that road for years,” said Phil.

“We had a speed freak clocked there doing 132mph – almost double the speed limit for heaven’s sake – in June.

“These fools put everybody’s life at risk.

“The A6 is used by cyclists and crossed by pedestrians.

“If you have a tyre blow-out, a catastrophic mechanical problem or a momentary lapse of concentration at 132mph you’ve had it.

“Speed is a killer.

“Police have told me they hand out almost nine per cent of all the speed tickets issued in Leicestershire on just this tiny length of road.

“Motorists also break the 30mph and 40mph limits in Kibworth itself all the time.

“Surely it would free up vital police resources if we set up speed cameras along there rather than relying on officers going along.

“And these idiots who flagrantly smash the law of the land by driving at well over 100mph should always be named and shamed.

“We still don’t know who raced along at 132mph.

“We still do not know what’s happened to him in court.

“Why is that?

“It’s just not right.

“We have every right to be told who’s putting everyone else’s life at risk by putting their foot through the floor.”

The county council said cameras were installed at seven locations – including on the A4304 at Walcote, near Lutterworth.

“Subject to cabinet approval, the council and the police will review sites where communities have previously raised concerns about speeding.

“Once sites have been identified, the council would consult with residents about the proposed locations,” said the council.

Cllr Trevor Pendleton, the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m delighted that we’re considering trialling the average speed enforcement programme again.

“It highlights our commitment to make our roads as safe as they can be.

“The scheme has proved that it can make a difference in communities, whose lives are blighted by the effects of speeding motorists, and, if approved, we believe the new cameras will make a positive change to driver behaviour.”

He added: “We will also work with communities where average speed cameras are not a suitable option and look at alternative speed enforcement measures, such as our Community Speed Watch scheme and vehicle activated signs.”

The county council is also continuing to press the Government to consider a new approach to funding speed camera sites.

“At present, funds generated through camera fines are retained by HM Treasury.

“The council has made several requests for the revenue to be retained to cover the capital cost of the speed cameras, after which the revenue would revert to Government,” said the council.

“This would enable further roll-outs of this type of enforcement measure across the county.”

The council’s cabinet will consider what to do when it meets at 2pm on Tuesday October 20.

The meeting will be webcast, live, at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/webcast and a recording available from the following day.