DIY camera has desired effect

A villager fed up with motorists speeding past his home has put his DIY skills to use in a bid to slow down drivers.

Mr Kevin McCarthy has made and erected a replica speed camera outside his home on Newark Road, Ompton.

He took action after Nottinghamshire County Council declined requests to install a permanent camera because its policy is not to install them in a 40mph zone.

Mr McCarthy said despite the speed limit villagers had recorded people coming through Ompton at 90mph, and most were doing 60 or 70mph.

“We have a problem with speeding through this village and it’s not going to be long before it kills someone,” Mr McCarthy said.

The metal replica camera cost £250 to make, and he said it was having the desired effect.

“Since I put up the camera the difference has just been incredible,” Mr McCarthy said.

“I put it up on Thursday and it’s been a wonderful place because people are driving through so slowly.

“It’s on my property so I don’t see how the council can make me take it down. I don’t know if we are breaking any laws or bylaws but it works.

“It’s a shame it’s taken something like this for people to notice our speed limit.”

A spokesman for the county council said someone would be visiting Mr McCarthy to discuss removal of the camera because it encroached on to the highway.

He said Ompton was on the list of potential sites for an interactive speed sign.

County councillor Mr Bruce Laughton said Mr McCarthy had done a good job of highlighting the speeding issue.

He said: “With a bit of luck the authorities will now sit up and listen to the people of Ompton.

“There is no doubt that it’s working but unfortunately we have to follow regulations as far as speed cameras are concerned.”