Ashingdon Road speed camera cut down near Holt Farm school

Drivers were shocked to see the speed camera in Ashingdon Road, Rochford - near Holt Farm Infant School - was missing on the morning commute earlier this week. 

Bizarrely, it was later found propped up on a bench a mile away at the bottom of Ashingdon Hill.

A report of criminal damage has since been made to police, Essex County Council confirmed.
Residents living near the camera site reported hearing a “horrendous” loud noise in the early hours of Monday morning when the camera was cut down. 

Cut down - The speed camera in Ashingdon Road (Image: Google Street View)

Resident Laurie Mayhew later spotted the speed camera and used some detective work to find out where it had come from. 

He said: “I spotted it on my way past the bench at around 6.20am. I then just thought of which camera location had it come from. 

“As I proceed onwards towards Rochford, and noticed the one at Norwich house was still there, but when I got up to Sapwood’s, I saw the one at Holt Farm was missing.

“I was more surprised than anything.”

Danielle Belton, Conservative Rochford district councillor for Hockley and Ashingdon, stressed the camera was used as a deterrent in a speed hotspot in the area.

She said: “Ashingdon Road leading on to Greensward Lane is renowned for speeding vehicles, and this speed camera helps control the issue. An act of vandalism like this is completely irresponsible and only ends up costing us the tax payers money as it will now need to be replaced.

“Speed cameras, unlike the congestion charge and ULEZ, are there to increase safety for road users and pedestrians alike so should be respected.

“I hope we don’t see any repeats of this around the district.”

Essex Highways  which is responsible for the camera, made arrangements that same day for the site to be attended and made safe.

The pole, located on the southbound side of the road before the school, has been secured and the camera was moved from the bench, it has yet to be fixed, the Echo understands.

Essex Police has been contacted for comment.