POLICE have refused to reveal how many people have been caught speeding by a camera at a notorious accident blackspot, raising fears that the camera may not be working at all.
The Guardian requested the data under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 but the request was denied as, police claim, it would lead to drivers deciding where it is 'safe' to speed.
Three people have been killed in collisions with motor vehicles on Woodford Green High Road near the junctions with Bunces Lane and Forest Approach in the last two years.
In April, 83-year-old Geoffrey Rowley was killed after being hit by a motorcyclist as he made his way home, just a few months after Fiona Daniels, 29, was struck by a car while out jogging.
Police are entitled to refuse a FOI request if they feel the public interest in not disclosing the information outweighs that of revealing it.
In the aftermath of the most recent fatality at on the stretch of road, ward councillor Richard Hoskins described the site as “slaughter junction” and lead calls for some measure to be put in place to prevent any more deaths.
Following the most recent death, research by the Guardian found it would cost less than £5000 to install 30 feet of railings either side of the pedestrian crossing, which would discourage people crossing the road away from the traffic lights.
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