THERE ARE no plans to extend the use of average speed cameras throughout Scotland’s trunk roads network.

The controversial cameras—known as SPECS—have been used to police sections of the A90 Dundee to Perth road during construction of new grade-separated junctions at Glendoick and Kinfauns.

The measure has proved an effective tool in cutting speeds on the route, with only a small minority of motorists having flouted the 40mph speed restrictions in the three months it has been in operation.

The Tayside Safety Camera Partnership said 31 drivers had been caught speeding by the SPECS installations and the average recorded speed was 39mph.

Dr John Hulbert, councillor for the Central Carse ward in which one of the SPECS cameras is sited, said they had proven their worth and could be useful elsewhere.

He said, “I travel that road very frequently as I am a councillor in Perth and I can vouch for the fact the traffic generally does travel at about 40mph.

“I think they have proven their worth. There is no doubt about it that speed kills, and excessive speed is inexcusable.

“I think these sort of safety cameras would be useful on the A9 for example, where it would take average speeds of 60 or 70mph whether it was single or dual carriageway. I would have no problem with that at all.”

However a Transport Scotland spokesperson said yesterday that there were no immediate plans for further installations on trunk roads.

It was unlikely any new average speed camera schemes would be introduced until the results of a two-year pilot SPECS project in Ayr, he said.

The spokesperson explained, “The system installed on the A90 is a temporary arrangement to boost safety for drivers and road workers on site. There are no plans to make this system permanent.

“The total cost of this temporary system is approximately £180,000. A permanent placement would be much more costly on account of the significant engineering works required for the cabling.

“For this reason we will need the full evaluation of the ongoing pilot study on the A77 before we consider further permanent SPECS systems.

“There are no current plans to use SPECS elsewhere in Tayside but we will continue to consider their use at appropriate sites as and when they are brought forward.”