“Poor air quality kills” – Wrexham’s AM explains A483 average speed cameras

We have spoken with Lesley Griffiths about the new average speed cameras on the A483 as the new systems have been installed and become active.

Wrexham’s AM has previously talked about the cameras while giving a statement on clean air due to her role as Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs. Part of that statement touched on the nitrogen dioxide exceedance in five sites across the welsh road network, the reasoning behind the 50mph limits and subsequent enforcement.

Previously a spokesperson for the Welsh Government Transport Department told Wrexham.com that the cameras were being calibrated during August, and “There will be a grace period before full enforcement takes place of the speed limits using the ASE. It is intended during the monitoring period warning letters will be issued to drivers not complying with the speed limit.”

The precise ‘go live’ date has not been revealed, however all legally required signage has been installed along with the live equipment itself.

We noted previous comments made in the Assembly, where Lesley Griffiths had explained prior to the cameras monitoring the 50 limit “….people are not keeping to it. I’m going along at 50 mph and people are overtaking me, I would say, all the time.”

Wrexham’s AM told us how she has ‘had people coming up behind me flashing lights’ on the stretch of the bypass as she kept to the 50 limit, and says she believes now ‘people will respect it and will do 50 miles per hour as a maximum’.

One common question posed when we have written about the A483 is those with hybrid or pure electric vehicles asking if they can be exempted if the goal is emission reduction, so we queried that along with asking if the zones could be extended as some appear to desire.

Another point commonly raised revolves around the data around the decision, as well as the lack of communication to road users as to why they are being slowed by 50mph.

You can hear direct from Wrexham’s AM on the topics in the below video: