Two fake speed cameras erected in village to stop drivers repeatedly breaking 30mph limit are taken down despite claims they were slowing down traffic

• Villagers were frustrated with drivers going at 80mph on a 30mph country road
• Locals in Shurdington, Gloucestershire put up fake speed cameras as a deterrent
• They said the homemade cameras had made a big difference to speeding 

Fake speed cameras put up by villagers furious with 80mph drivers have been removed.

Locals in Shurdington, Gloucestershire said the fake cameras had made a noticeable difference to dangerous speeding in their area.  

Cars have been recorded travelling at up to 80mph (128kmph) on Shurdington Road – which cuts through the middle of the quiet village and has a 30mph speed limit.

Village volunteers monitoring the speed of cars passing by recorded more than 1,600 cases of excessive speeding in the last year.

Although crudely made, villagers said the ‘cameras’ made a noticeable difference to people speeding through Shurdington in Gloucestershire

The local parish council did not endorse the use of the fake cameras, adding that ‘[a camera is] only any good if it has film in it and it is enforced’

The cheeky ‘cameras’ appeared on Saturday (August 6) – crudely painted black and yellow cardboard boxes.

However, the homemade boxes seemed to have an effect on drivers passing by at speed. 

The ‘cameras’ have since been removed, but the local parish council said it was not clear who had put them up or taken them down.

Fake speed cameras are not illegal in the UK but are discouraged by police.

Individuals erecting fake cameras could find themselves facing a civil lawsuit in severe cases for misusing council property.

Despite this danger, people frustrated with speeding cars are often known to use inventive objects like yellow and black boxes to slow traffic.

A Shurdington Parish Council spokesperson said they do not endorse the action but are ‘thrilled’ people are reacting to the problem of speeding.

County councillor Robert Vines said speeding was an ongoing issue, and suggested speed cameras could be effective if they were enforced.

Cars have been recorded travelling at up to 80mph (128kmph) on Shurdington Road -well over the 30mph speed limit 

He said: ‘There’s no easy answer to the problem.

‘Some people might suggest speed humps or speed cameras.

‘[A camera is] only any good if it has film in it and it is enforced,’

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said just driving a few miles per hour over the speed limit can be the difference between life and death.

The spokesperson said: ‘Speeding is one of the “fatal four” causes of road deaths and injury in the county along with using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt and drink or drug driving.

‘Driving within the set limit allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear providing time to react and avoid a collision with another road user.

‘Speed limits are set for a reason and exceeding them is illegal.

‘The minimum penalty for speeding is £100 fine and three points added to your licence. Receiving 12 or more points within three years may disqualify you from driving.’

Police say members of the public should contact local police online if they are worried about speeding in their area.

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