PLANS for a speed camera on a busy Dorchester road were shelved today after concerns raised by town councillors.

The Dorset Safety Camera Partnership planned to place the device near garages on London Road to cut the number of casualties from car crashes.

But members of Dorchester Town Council claimed that they had not been consulted and claimed it could spoil the street scene leading to Grey's Bridge and Kingston Maurward.

Now the camera partnership has placed the scheme on ice after a closer review of the road and speed limits.

Councillor Stella Jones, who was among councillors who raised concerns, said: "We were puzzled why they wanted to put a camera down there in the centre of London Road.

"Since the traffic lights went near the bridge at the junction with Kings Road, traffic has been a lot slower than it was.

Review

"Before the traffic lights, a camera may have been justified but it is not necessary now."

London Road qualified for a camera because it was the scene of three serious and ten minor collisions between 1999 and 2001.

But camera partnership staff reviewed the details and the speed limits of 30 and 60mph either side of Grey's bridge and decided a suitable site would be difficult to find.

Now they intend to monitor London Road for speed and accidents to decide if a camera is needed in the future and where it would go.

Members of Dorchester Town Council's planning and environment committee discussed the move last night.

Coun Trevor Jones said: "Traffic lights had cured the problem anyway, but we should formally request they do some exercises to find out where there is a speeding problem like on Bridport Road."

Coun Molly Rennie said: "There were traffic lights there and yet they still proceeded along this route - how much time and effort did they waste?

"It is pleasing that this is not going to happen."