A35 Dorset average speed camera installation
Case reference FOI2026/00391
Received 12 March 2026
Published 17 June 2026
Last amended 17 June 2026
Request
I want to make a freedom of information request regarding the recent installation of average speed camera installations between Lyme Regis and Dorchester, Dorset.
I would like to know;
1) Who gave you permission to install these cameras? Documented evidence.
2) What public consultation was there, if any?
Evidence of times, meetings and who (public figures) and amount of people attending each.
I live in the middle of this, Bridport and heard nothing until the work was actually underway, causing months of missery with the temporary traffic lights.
3) Is it legal (evidence that all legal prceedures where followed correctly)
4) How much has it cost and who is paying?
I assume it will be is us the taxpayer ?
Response
1) National Highways are responsible for managing, operating, and improving the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and as operators of the A35 no permission to install the cameras is required. This scheme was developed to improve the safety and resilience of the SRN.
2) This scheme is safety based and as a result we have no requirement to conduct public consultation. National Highways have regular liaison with Parish and Town Councils along the A35. As above, consultation is not required on schemes such as this but the theme of upcoming delivery was a strand throughout this engagement. Formal communication was made to relevant stakeholders along the route on 14 December with more detail on the delivery methodology and likely impact.
3) The technology being utilised to enforce speed restrictions are approved and we have utilised a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order (PTRO) to legally make changes to speed limits. The order is attached for your records. Please note that personal information has been redacted under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act.
4) The full cost to install the cameras and associated equipment is £534,450.90. The funding was allocated as part of a wider scheme called Charmouth to Yellowham via, what at the time was called, designated funds.
Further details on about the scheme can be found at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/safety-schemes-in-thesouth-west-region/ and https://www.charvalleyparishcouncil.gov.uk/2026/03/a35-charmouth-toyellowham-safety-scheme/ , however it is to reduce the numbers of people killed and serious injured on the A35 in Dorset.
Documents
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.