Cameras set to be installed in bid to make Southampton roads safer

Work will begin today to install three new state-of-the-art speed cameras in Southampton, as part of a project aimed at making our roads safer.

The Southampton City Red Light Speed on Green (RLSOG) initiative is a project between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Southampton City Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, to replace existing outdated speed cameras at key locations across the city.

These new cameras will replace systems which have been in place since the early 2000s. The new technology is more advanced, akin to average speed enforcement systems seen across the country.

The RLSOG initiative has identified three existing cameras to be replaced initially:

- A3024 Northam Bridge

- A3024 Northam Road, near the junction with Brinton's Road

- A335 Thomas Lewis Way, near the junction with Dukes Road and Horseshoe Bridge

Work to install the camera on Northam Bridge will begin today (Monday 18 August), with the Northam Road camera scheduled for later this week.

The camera on Thomas Lewis  Way will be installed at a later date which has not yet been confirmed.

These modern systems are designed to combine speed detection and traffic signal enforcement, targeting areas with a history of collisions involving excessive speed and red-light violations.

On average each year 2,815 people are killed or seriously injured due to speeding.

Between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2024, there were 1,385 collisions across Southampton which resulted in one or more people being injured.

In 89 of these collisions (6.4%) 'excessive speed' or 'disobeying a traffic signal' were listed as a contributory factor.

However speed plays a more common role in the most serious collisions.

In fact, between 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024, nearly a fifth of all fatal collisions across Hampshire and Isle of Wight had a contributory factor of 'exceeding speed limit' (24 out of 129).

Sergeant Jamie Dobson, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: "I've had to attend the scenes of crashes where a person has died, and then gone to tell their families that their loved ones had been killed on our roads by a speeding driver.

"There is an extremely cynical view of speed cameras in this country and that really needs to change.

"Many assume they are there just to make money off of motorists, but don't take into account how effective they are at forcing you to think about your speed.

"To be completely honest we hope that the cameras don't catch anyone speeding. That would mean people are driving within the speed limit and the deterrent factor of the cameras are enough to make these roads safer."

PCC Donna Jones said: "I am delighted to see the installation of these state-of-the-art cameras.

“They reinforce my commitment to ensuring the Constabulary tackles the challenges posed by dangerous driving, illegal vehicles, and anti-social road use.

“These devices are vital in busy areas of the city for improving safety and protecting all road users.”

In January 2025 the first camera on the initiative was set up at Northam Bridge but was deliberately damaged just hours later, amid speculation on social media indicating a widespread belief that these new cameras were part of an ULEZ or similar income-generating initiative, intended to tax motorists entering Southampton.

In addition, some posts incorrectly described the camera as an AI-based tool designed to enforce additional offences, such as mobile phone use or seat belt violations.

Several comments also expressed concerns about privacy, with some assuming the camera was intended for ANPR or facial recognition, and fearing it would be used for surveillance purposes.

PS Dobson added: "None of this speculation was accurate. These cameras do not have facial recognition, ANPR or AI technology. They are not part of any ULEZ scheme.

"The cameras can only check for speeding and red light offences and are simply an upgrade to existing older systems. Essentially they are here for one reason only - to make our roads safer."

PCC Jones added: “Replacing the camera has unnecessarily cost Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary considerable time and resources.

“The people who oppose these devices are undermining safety efforts and are ultimately putting lives at risk.”