CONTROVERSIAL speed cameras have won overwhelming public support, it is claimed.

Watchdog group Transport 2000 says six independent national surveys average out at 74 per cent backing for the cameras across the country.

And on Teesside there is an additional one per cent support, says the Cleveland Safety Camera Partnership.

Partnership spokesman Mick Bennett, an ex-traffic police inspector, said: "We are pleased with these findings, especially as they are based on such a wide-ranging set of survey figures.

"Market research carried out in the Cleveland area showed 75 per cent support for the use of cameras, and shows that we are in line with these national surveys."

Mr Bennett said: "I am absolutely delighted. What it shows is there is more work to be done in converting that last 25 per cent of people to our way of thinking. It is substantially what we thought - the majority of the public are behind us.

"It is the minority who are making the loudest noise, but we will continue our programme of trying to talk people round, using the money to advertise where the cameras are to encourage people to slow down."

Speed cameras were installed on more than 30 roads across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and east Cleveland three years ago.

In those three full years of operation the cameras are estimated to have helped to reduce personal injury collisions by 53 per cent. That equates to 366 less injury collisions on the camera-minitored roads.

More cameras were installed this year with plans to extend the existing 42 sites to 50.

The increase has met with criticism from motorists, including the Association of British Drivers who say that the scheme is being extended to include roads with no accident record.

However, Mr Bennett said the cameras have had the effect of lowering average speeds while reducing the number of vehicles flouting the speed limit.

He said: "This all adds up to safer roads in the area, and the partnership will continue to monitor crash patterns and identify any emerging trends where cameras can have a positive effect on the reduction on the number of people being killed and injured."