On Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:36:45 +0100, Neil Williams
wrote:

On Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:44:46 -0700 (PDT), allantracy
wrote:

I suspect the Taxpayer’s Alliance primary objection to speed cameras
is more down to the revenue raising aspects rather than perceptions on
safety.

Which is interesting, as one would think therefore that speed cameras
would be profitable[1]. It seems, however, that the ones in
Oxfordshire are not. Perhaps they are too successful?


When central government paid for the cameras, and local authorities
got the cameras free and kept the proceeds from the fines levied,
speed cameras were very "profitable" for those local authorities.

Now that central government funding has been slashed and all the fines
go to the Treasury rather than being kept by the local authorities,
the camera are no longer "profitable" for those local authorities. So
their "missionary zeal" (which was probably motivated by greed) has
begun to evaporate rather quickly.