A series of new speed cameras installed across Birmingham as part of a major road safety push have not yet been activated, the city council has confirmed.
Calibration Underway, But No Start Date
Birmingham City Council has stated that the cameras are still undergoing calibration, a process that was reported to be happening last month. While the infrastructure and all necessary signage are in place at six key locations, authorities have not provided a specific date for when the devices will be 'switched on' and begin enforcement. They have promised a further announcement will be made.
The initiative is designed to cut collisions on routes identified as high-risk. The council, in partnership with West Midlands Police, selected the sites based on the severity of recorded road traffic collisions (RTCs) and where speeding is known to be a common problem.
Locations of the New Safety Cameras
Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on these stretches is 30mph. Once active, motorists caught exceeding the limit will face fines and penalty points. The new camera locations are:
- A45 Coventry Road (extension from Berkeley Road to Bordesley Middleway)
- A47 Nechells/Fort Parkway (A4040 Ring-road to A452 Chester Road)
- B4121 West Boulevard (Selcroft Avenue to California Way)
- A34 Walsall Road (Wellinton Road to Newton Road/City Boundary)
- B4114 Washwood Heath Road (Ward End Park Road to Bromford Lane)
- A34 Stratford Road (Coniston Close to Robin Hood Lane)
Specific cameras on the A45 Small Heath highway were installed in December and are included in this calibration process.
"This Is About Road Safety, Not Revenue"
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, emphasised the safety-first rationale behind the cameras. "Safety on our busy highway network is paramount and these cameras have an important role to play – far too many collisions on our roads involve excessive speed," he said.
He was keen to stress that the goal is compliance, not income. "This is not about making money – the majority of revenue goes directly to the government – it is about road safety. I would be happy if no fines were issued as that means people are not speeding."
Cllr Mahmood also noted that cameras are just one part of a broader strategy. "However, they can never be a solution on their own. We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe." He pointed to the wider Birmingham Transport Plan and Road Harm Reduction Strategy, which aim to redesign streets to prioritise people and reduce both vehicle speeds and overall traffic volume in the city.
