TOWN council plans to install speed cameras in Andover have been paused following a lack of support from the police. 

As previously reported, Andover Town Council has discussed proposals to install two AutoSpeedWatch cameras, but the plans have been put on hold after communication with Hampshire Constabulary. 

Currently, the council uses a number of speed indicator devices, which flash red when approaching traffic is speeding, or remain green when drivers are within the speed limit.

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The council has proposed to purchase two AutoSpeedWatch cameras which have the capacity to record speeds and picture cars and number plates, registering this information on a database.

From this, car owner's name and address details could be obtained from the DVLA database, and repeat offenders would be written to warn of their speeding. Repeat offenders could also receive a police visit.

However, the council have paused its plans following a meeting with a member of Test Valley District Police, Inspector Paul Holmes, on Wednesday, November 1.

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A meeting of the full council on Wednesday, November 22, was told that the constabulary is keen to make a county-wide decision on the Autospeedwatch cameras, a decision which is not thought to be "imminent".

This means that the council could go ahead with its plans, including recording information such as speeds and number plates, but would have to do so without the support of the police.

The town clerk has been informed that since the meeting on November 1 Test Valley District Police have held talks with the East Hampshire District team of Hampshire Constabulary, who are currently trialling the devices.

The matter was noted at the full council meeting and a further meeting between the town council, Hampshire police and Autospeedwatch is due to be arranged in the coming weeks.