40 extra speed traps on way

Nearly a quarter, however, are heading for roads in Dudley alone, it can be revealed, as council chiefs are set to rubber stamp a list of locations when they meet next week.

Transport officials say they have earmarked notorious roads across the region for the speed cameras but are reluctant to say where they could go in case their suggested siting proves impossible.

If sites do become an issue it could mean that the number of cameras which actually go up in the region is closer to 30.

The West Midlands Casualty Reduction Partnership, which puts them up, says it doesn't want to get residents' hopes up.

In Dudley borough the cameras look set to go up in Audnam, Amblecote, Brierley Hill, Stourbridge, Sedgley, Coseley, Halesowen and Harts Hill. Work will start in May if councillors give the sites the go-ahead.

Councillor Michael Evans welcomed the move to install a camera on Gorge Road, in Sedgley, but said the cameras shouldn't be used just to make cash.

He said: "Gorge Road is one of the most important spots to have a camera in my opinion as it is not that long ago that someone was killed there. I fully support cameras where they reduce deaths and dangerous driving but not when they go up for purely financial reasons."

Coseley councillor Susan Ridney lives on Gough Road where one of the cameras is planned.

She said: "There have been a lot of accidents here so hopefully it will cut speed but I am aware of other places in Coseley which may also benefit from having a camera so I would like to see them looked at next."

West Midlands Casualty Reduction Partnership, made up of West Midlands Police, local authorities, the courts and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), say the sites have been chosen because they are accident blackspots where there have been three deaths or serious accidents on these roads.

By Helen Cartwright