Newcastle Gatso are for income only

Newcastle based newspaper, The Evening Chronicle reported on August 23rd 2002 thta Speed Cameras in Newcastle upon Tyne were being abused by siting them at locations where fines could easily be collected, rather than accident blackspots.

"An investigation reveals a third more cameras are positioned on the UK's safest 50 roads than on the 50 most dangerous stretches, and this is said to be repeated in all areas of Britain.

The reason is claimed to be because the number of speed cameras is increasing at the remarkable rate of 5,000 a year, with revenue now amounting to more than £50 million a year for the Treasury."

Northumbria Police use speed cameras throughout the county but County Durham understand that these cameras alienate the police from motorists and refuse to install them.

Shadow transport secretary, Tim Collins, said: "Speed cameras must be located at accident blackspots rather than at locations that are best for collecting fines."