ONE of only two police forces in the country which refuses to use fixed speed cameras is considering a change in policy.

North Yorkshire Police has agreed to a study to look at whether permanent speed traps can be introduced in the county.

Only two forces in the country – North Yorkshire and Durham – have so far refused to use the devices.

Both forces have previously been praised by anti-speed camera groups for cutting road casualities without erecting fixed speed traps.

Inspector Dave Brown, head of strategic roads policing at North Yorkshire Police, said: “This study will look at all available technology and its ability to support a reduction in road casualties within the York and North Yorkshire area.

“It will provide a number of potential options which include mobile, fixed and zonal camera systems.”

Insp Brown said a feasibility report would be produced, adding: “This includes an assessment as to whether this investment provides the most effective method of casualty reduction.”

The study is being carried out by a safety camera project group working through the 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership.

The group includes North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, the Highways Agency, the Courts Service, and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The study is expected to be completed by January.

Allan McVeigh, North Yorkshire council’s traffic management and road safety manager, said: “There is a toolbox of measures that we can use to improve road safety.

“Clearly safety cameras are a tool in the box, and all we’re doing is looking at the feasibility of whether that particular tool is appropriate for York and North Yorkshire.”

Councillor Steve Galloway, City of York Council’s executive member for city strategy, is in favour of speed cameras.

He said he asked Grahame Maxwell, chief constable of North Yorkshire Police, to change the policy of his predecessor to allow speed cameras.

The revelation that fixed cameras could be installed on North Yorkshire’s roads comes just days Swindon, in Wiltshire, announced it was removing its fixed speed traps – the first town in the UK to take the step.

A spokesman for Durham Police said the force had no plans to introduce fixed speed cameras.