New Speed Cameras to Be Installed Across Southampton in Bid to Improve Road Safety
Three new state-of-the-art speed cameras will begin to be installed across Southampton from today, as part of a city-wide initiative aimed at reducing collisions and improving road safety.
The Southampton City Red Light Speed on Green (RLSOG) initiative—led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Southampton City Council, and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones—is replacing ageing camera systems at key points across the city with more advanced technology.
Targeted Locations
The first phase of the project will see the replacement of existing cameras at three major junctions:
• A3024 Northam Bridge – installation begins today
• A3024 Northam Road, near the junction with Brinton’s Road – later this week
• A335 Thomas Lewis Way, near Dukes Road and Horseshoe Bridge – installation date to be confirmed
These upgraded systems, similar in function to average speed enforcement cameras used nationwide, are capable of detecting both speeding and red light violations.
“These devices are vital in busy areas of the city for improving safety and protecting all road users,” said PCC Donna Jones. “They reinforce my commitment to ensuring the Constabulary tackles the challenges posed by dangerous driving, illegal vehicles, and anti-social road use.”
The Need for Action
From 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2024, Southampton recorded 1,385 collisions resulting in injury. In 89 of these cases (6.4%), either excessive speed or disobeying traffic signals was listed as a contributing factor.
Sergeant Jamie Dobson, of the Roads Policing Unit, emphasised the real-life consequences of dangerous driving.
“I’ve had to attend the scenes of crashes where a person has died, and then gone to tell their families that their loved ones had been killed on our roads by a speeding driver.
“There is an extremely cynical view of speed cameras in this country and that really needs to change.
“Many assume they are there just to make money off of motorists, but don’t take into account how effective they are at forcing you to think about your speed.
“To be completely honest we hope that the cameras don’t catch anyone speeding. That would mean people are driving within the speed limit and the deterrent factor of the cameras are enough to make these roads safer.”
Previous Setbacks and Public Misinformation
The initiative suffered a setback in January 2025, when the first camera installed at Northam Bridge was deliberately vandalised within hours. Misinformation spread rapidly on social media, with users speculating the new cameras were part of a ULEZ-style scheme, used for facial recognition, AI enforcement, or to penalise seat belt and mobile phone offences.
Authorities have firmly rejected these claims.
“None of that speculation was accurate,” said PS Dobson. “These cameras do not have facial recognition, ANPR or AI technology. They are not part of any ULEZ scheme.
“The cameras can only check for speeding and red light offences and are simply an upgrade to existing older systems. Essentially they are here for one reason only – to make our roads safer.”
PCC Jones added: “Replacing the camera has unnecessarily cost Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary considerable time and resources.
“The people who oppose these devices are undermining safety efforts and are ultimately putting lives at risk.”
Looking Ahead
The rollout is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with further updates to be provided on the installation schedule for Thomas Lewis Way.
The RLSOG initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernise road safety infrastructure across the region, with a clear message from authorities: prevention is the priority, not punishment.