FIXED speed cameras are here to stay in Dorset, with law-breaking motorists running a daily risk of being captured on film at 20 ‘active’ sites across the county.

The revelation comes after a leading transport academic warned that switching off cameras could lead to 800 extra deaths or serious injuries on the UK’s roads every year.

Professor Richard Allsop of the University College London says cameras have offered continuing road safety benefits since they were introduced in 1992.

There were claims that Dorset’s speed cameras would be switched off this autumn as spending cuts took their toll on networks across the country.

Oxfordshire’s 72 speed cameras were switched off but there are now plans to switch them back on after a sharp rise in the number of speeding motorists.

Bournemouth council’s cabinet member for transport, Councillor Michael Filer, said: “Some of the Dorset cameras are being switched off – but the majority will remain. Safety is paramount.”

His comments came after decisions by cash-strapped Dorset County Council to cut its camera funding by 20 per cent from £1.3million to £950,000.

Reductions in central government funding have seen the road safety grant for 2010-11 slashed by 40 per cent.

Crucially, the capital grant – a £17.2million annual fund that typically pays for the cameras – has also been abolished.

About 6,000 speed cameras have appeared on Britain’s roads since they were introduced, generating some £100million in fines each year.