SAM camera installed in Costessey road after concerns raised

Costessey officials placed the SAM2 camera on a lamppost along Norwich Road, near Hill Road, to help prevent excessive speeding reported in the area. 

A SAM2 speed camera is a vehicle-activated sign that displays the speed of a vehicle as it approaches, however, it cannot issue fines or tickets. 

Norwich Road in Costessey has received a number of speeding reports by members of the public (Image: Google)

The exact number of incidents that have happened on the bend is not currently known, according to Costessey Town Council clerk Stacey Kent, but the authority has introduced the measure in response to growing public concern over the 30mph highway. 

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She said: "This is the first step in addressing the problem with the resources we have. 

"Communities were asked to share responsibility for casualty reduction some time ago and we purchased temporary speed awareness messaging cameras in response.

The SAM2 camera has been placed just before a bend in the road (Image: Google)

"With regards to the latest position near Hill Road, a full assessment will be made and then we will consider what's next."

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Councillor Jenny McCloskey added that the SAM2 camera will record the number and average speed of vehicles in its first week and then from September 11 it will begin to flash at cars which are speeding.

No registration plates will be documented and no fines will be issued.

Costessey Town councillor Jenny McCloskey (right) said the camera will first record speed and timings and then flash speeding vehicles (Image: Newsquest)

While no promises have been made to introduce a full-sized speeding camera along Norwich Road pending the outcome of the assessment, the town council may approach Norfolk County Council's highways department for funding for new signage if a large enough speeding issue is identified.

This approach has also been used in places such as Fakenham where SAM2 cameras have been used to help crack down on speeding.

And in March, the county council agreed to make money available which will be spent on 118 vehicle-activated speed signs, bus shelters and new footpaths in more than 100 towns and villages across Norfolk.