Cumberland Council and Cumbria Police are working together to improve road safety and respond to community concerns, with new safety cameras proposed for the A595 Holmrook and A6071 Smithfield.
The A595 at Holmrook has been identified as a high-risk corridor due to frequent speeding. Concerns raised by local residents have prompted action from both Cumberland Council and Cumbria Police, resulting in the decision to install a fixed safety camera at this location. Surveys conducted at Holmrook recorded an average speed of 42mph in a 30mph zone, with 64 offences detected in 2024, further supporting the need for enforcement at this location.
The A6071 at Smithfield has also seen the deployment of mobile speed enforcement cameras in response to persistent speeding issues. This route, which connects rural communities and sees a mix of local and through traffic, has been flagged as a speeding hotspot. Surveys conducted at Smithfield to support community complaints recorded an average speed of 40mph in a 30mph zone, with 60 offences detected in 2024.
Works at Holmrook are scheduled to commence on 14 October 2025, while works at Smithfield are already underway.
These installations form part of the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership’s wider Road Safety Strategy, which focuses on data-led interventions in areas with high collision rates or community-reported concerns. The use of both fixed and mobile cameras ensures flexible enforcement and coverage across multiple high-risk zones.
Motorists are reminded to observe posted speed limits and drive responsibly. The safety cameras are not only enforcement tools but also a visible reminder of the shared responsibility to keep Cumbria’s roads safe.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“We know how important road safety is to our communities, and we’re listening. These new cameras are a direct response to local concerns and are part of our commitment to making Cumberland’s roads safer for everyone. Working in partnership with Cumbria Police, we’re taking meaningful steps to reduce speeding and prevent accidents.”
Inspector Jack Stabler, Chair of Cumbria Road Safety Partnership; added:
“Cumbria Road Safety Partnership welcomes the installation of two new fixed speed cameras at Holmrook and Smithfield, reinforcing our commitment to the Vision Zero strategy—an ambitious goal to eliminate all road fatalities and serious injuries.
“Since April 2023, the Partnership has been guided by the Cumbria Road Harm Index, a five-year evidence base that identifies geographical areas of high harm. This data-driven approach enables partner agencies to implement targeted interventions that improve safety for all road users.
“Speeding in rural areas is often underestimated, but it poses a serious risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.
“The new cameras are part of a broader initiative to reduce harm on Cumbria’s roads by combining enforcement with education and engineering. By focusing data led interventions at high-harm areas, the partnership aims to create safer communities and foster a culture of responsible driving.”