Town halls ‘want to milk drivers with speed fines’

MOTORISTS will be exploited as cash cows if councils are allowed to collect speeding fines, campaigners said yesterday.

Town halls are seeking control over 20mph and 30mph zones, arguing a lack of traffic police makes roads dangerous – leaving residents at risk.

The plans have been put forward by London Councils, a body that represents the capital’s 32 boroughs. Setting out the proposals, it said the maximum fine of £130 for council infringements was insufficient and would need to be raised. Jack Cousens of the AA told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘Residents would rather their council focus on emptying the bins on time. Drivers will draw one conclusion: this proposal is more about the money it would generate, not the balanced enforcement of criminal law.’

The Government has resisted the idea warning that public support might be limited.