A39 Cornwall Perranarworthal speed cameras cut down 30mph

The vandals struck at night and cut down the distinctive yellow speed camera at the Norway Inn and and the camera on the stretch of the A39 on the Penryn side of the village.

The average speed check along this busy stretch of road is 30mph.

The cameras were cut down (Image: Newsquest)

Workers were already at the site at 10am this morning to remove the poles which they said were dangerous because of the exposed electric cables.

People living nearby said they didn’t hear anything during the night, possibly because the poles were made of plastic and the cutting tool would not be heard.

Staff at the Norway Inn said the first they knew about it was when they received a phone call from the media this morning.

The cameras were cut down (Image: Paul Armstrong)

They said all their guests had checked out and said they’d had a lovely peaceful night.

While the Packet was there the police rang the pub and asked if it had any CCTV over the car park as that was the most likely place they could have parked.

The camera itself ended up in the bushes (Image: Paul Armstrong)

Members of the Perranarworthal community were only celebrating ibn March following the introduction of Average Speed Cameras on a section of the A39 notorious for speeding drivers.

You can see the Packet live report on our Facebook page.

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Adrian Leisk, Devon & Cornwall Police’s head of road safety, said: "I am saddened for the local community who championed the installation of these cameras and campaigned for years to do so.

"These cameras have improved road safety and will be replaced ASAP. Investigations are underway to identify the mindless vandals who did this. They have achieved nothing."

The camera itself ended up in the bushes (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The cameras were the result of the work of the village’s Community Speedwatch Group who had long campaigned for speed reduction measures along the road.

Volunteers from the group have worked with Cornwall Council over several years to carry out regular speed checks, gathering evidence of drivers exceeding the speed limit despite various measures introduced to make road users aware of the 30mph limit.

The exposed electric cables (Image: Paul Armstrong)

At the time Councillor Peter Williams, Cornwall Council local member for Mylor, Perranarworthal and Ponsanooth, said: “This has been one of my key priorities as Cornwall Councillor for Perranarworthal and I am pleased to have delivered on this for not only the people I represent but also everyone who uses this busy route between Truro and Falmouth.

“Thank you to the numerous people and organisations who have worked with me to make this happen over the past few years – it has been a long road to a good outcome, and I hope this will make where we live a safer place.”