MANY speed cameras sited on Dorset roads are not in operation because they do not comply with government rules, it has been revealed.

Only 40 of the county's fixed cameras are currently operating and are listed on the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership's website.

Others, originally set up because their locations met the designated criteria, no longer comply and cannot legally be used.

They include cameras at Queens Park Avenue, Wentworth Avenue, West Way, Charminster Avenue and Iford Lane in Bournemouth.

Others not currently in use are located at Hurn Road, Christchurch, Dunyeats Road in Broadstone, Golf Links Road in Ferndown and Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen.

Partnership members have warned the cameras could be used in the future if the criteria are met.

The news comes on the day speed camera boss Pat Garrett has hit back at critics of the controversial devices and announced that further camera sites have gone live across the area.

He said: "If people do not want to get caught speeding, there is one simple answer - don't speed and you won't get caught."

Mr Garrett is head of fixed penalties at the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership.

He said the partnership's objective is to reduce excessive and inappropriate speed, with the intention of reducing deaths and serious injuries.

"These new safety camera sites have been installed to reduce speed and therefore casualties on our roads, not to generate revenue as some people think," he added.

"Safety cameras are a constant reminder to all motorists to do the right thing and drive within legal speed limits and with care at all times."

The new fixed camera sites are on the A347 Talbot Avenue, the A341 Wimborne Road, Poole Lane-East Howe Lane, the B3066 Bath Road/Exeter Road-Lansdowne Road and the A337 Lymington Road, Highcliffe. The latest red light camera is operating at the junction of Richmond Park Road and Bennett Road.

The partnership lists 40 fixed camera sites and 61 mobile camera sites in the county.

Controversial new proposals currently being considered by the government would allow police to use mobile cameras on most Dorset roads.

Officers hope current rules will be relaxed giving them more freedom over the siting of the cameras.

Dorset Safety Camera Partnership mobile camera locations - 21st August to 27th August 2004

A338 Wessex Way/Spur Road, Bournemouth A31 Ringwood Road, St Leonards A31 Mill Street, Henbury Littledown Avenue, Bournemouth Winborne Road West, Stapehill, Ferndown A350 Poole Road, Poole B3369 Sandbanks Road, Poole B3073 Oakley Hill, Wimborne B3065 The Avenue, Poole B3065 Pinecliff Road, Poole B3068 Blandford Road, Hamworthy, Poole A35 Whole Length including: A35 Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch A30 West Stour A354 Dorchester Road, Dorchester to Weymouth (full length) B3157 Chickerell Road, Weymouth B3157 Limekiln Hill B3156 Lanehouse Rocks Road, Weymouth Weston Road, Portland Please note: The location of the mobile camera operations is given for guidance only. The Dorset Safety Camera Partnership reserves the right to amend operational locations of mobile cameras without prior notice.

First published: August 21