Fake camera slows traffic

motorists have been trimming their speed after spotting a roadside camera. But what they don't know is it's a fake.

Herstmonceux councillor Andy Long made the 'camera' from sheets of steel to a design he downloaded off the internet.

He claims it had a marked effect in slowing cars when it was installed beside the road through the village.

And it is now proving equally effective on the roadside by his girlfriend's front garden at Heathfield.

Inside the box Andy, a Wealden district councillor, has fitted a car battery and a flashing lamp salvaged from an old lorry, so when people drive past, it appears to be taking pictures.

'It certainly seems to do the trick,' he said. 'I tried it out first in Herstmonceux and people really started killing their speed.'

Now the device is located in Cade Street and Andy said: 'I put this device up on Sunday and people seem to drive much more carefully after they've seen it.'

However, Polegate Traffic Police have investigated and referred the case to the Highways Agency.'

A spokesman from the Agency said they would be removing the camera soon. 'For a start, it's on highway land and overhanging the road,' she said.

'It's also too low to the ground and a major distraction for passing traffic.'

But Andy is determined to keep his 'camera' in place, even if it means moving it back further from the road and switching off the flashing light.

'It's for the good of road safety,' he said.