New Laceby Bypass safety camera set on fire - before being turned on

MINDLESS yobs set fire to one of the first fixed speed cameras on Laceby Bypass – installed to make the road safer following the death of two young girls.

As reported, the cameras on the bypass were to be the first fixed speed cameras installed in North East Lincolnshire – the first step in a £100,000 council scheme to cut road deaths on the notorious stretch of the A46.

The newly-installed speed safety camera on Laceby Bypass, which has been set on fire.

However, on New Year's Eve – just days before the cameras' anticipated switch-on this month – firefighters were called to the scene after one of the cameras was set on fire.

The thoughtless act has angered campaigners who have been fighting to have safety measures installed since August 2003 when 13-year-olds Kayla Young and her friend Amy Jones were mown down by a drink-driver.

Banned driver James Andrew Hill, from Cleethorpes, was jailed for a total of nine years after admitting causing Amy and Kayla's deaths by dangerous driving. He lost control after racing a friend along the bypass and overtaking at speeds of 87mph, ploughing into the girls on the footpath.

Campaigners had celebrated news of the safety scheme, which also includes cutting the speed limit from 70mph to 50mph and reducing the road to one lane by the Laceby junctions, last summer.

But Kayla's mum, Chrissie, of Station Road, Healing, said: "To be honest I have always said that speed was nothing to do with it – it was a drink-driver that did it.

"What is needed is a barrier to stop people crossing the central reservation – but the people who have done this are mindless – not that I'm surprised."

Laceby Parish Council vice-chairman, Coun David Marshall, was outraged to learn of the attack on the camera.

He said: "It is absolutely disgusting but the thing is, it doesn't surprise me.

"I just cannot contemplate it. When you think of all the man hours and time and money that has gone into this, it's despicable."

Coun Marshall also revealed a fellow councillor had come across somebody trying to break a camera which tells you the speed you are travelling at the Caistor Road junction of the bypass.

He said: "It has only been there for two weeks and somebody had a screwdriver and was trying to take it apart.

"It is pathetic."

The man was chased away and the incident reported to police.

David Poucher, principal traffic engineer for North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "We have done an initial assessment on the camera and believe there is no structural damage. We will carry out another inspection early in the new year.

"We are trying to encourage drivers to lower their speeds and drive sensibly after the tragic incidents that have happened on the Laceby Bypass.

"It saddens me that someone has damaged the camera without considering the possible consequences."

Did you see anything?

Anyone with any information should contact the police on 0845 60 60 222 quoting log number 39 of 31/12/08 for the speed camera that was set on fire.

Anyone with information on the damage caused to the other camera at Caistor Road should contact the police on 0845 60 60 222 quoting log number 711 of 29/12/08.