In the debate, Mike Penning, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, was questioned on the Government’s recent announcement that it would stop investment into new speed cameras

In response, the Minister said: 'The Government will not provide any more money to local authorities for new fixed speed cameras. If authorities want to put up new fixed cameras, they are free to do so using their own resources, but we strongly encourage them to use other methods and effective safety measures.'

He added: 'There are now three times as many speed cameras in this country as there were in 2000, and the public must be confident that speed cameras are there for road safety, not as a cash cow. Under this Government, they will be.'

In response, Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend has said: 'It is shocking to hear the new Minister making such dismissive comments about speed cameras, which research proves are highly effective in preventing deaths and injuries. Every year Brake is contacted by scores of communities crying out for measures like speed cameras to protect local people and enable them to use roads without fear of speeding traffic.

'We are urging the new Government to progress the latest technology in speed enforcement – for example, we want to see a speed limit map created for the UK, so "Intelligent Speed Adaption" can start to be introduced in vehicles. But in the meantime it’s vital that the Government continues to invest in proven technology like speed cameras, alongside other crucial road safety measures like traffic policing and education. These measures not only help to prevent the unspeakable trauma of a sudden bereavement or serious injury, they also make good economic sense, helping to stem the huge cost to the economy of road death and injury.'