THE war of words over speed cameras in Swindon has gone into top gear, after Labour politicians urged the council to do a u-turn.

South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove, delivered a letter to the Civic Offices yesterday asking the council to continue its participation in the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership.

The letter was co-signed by the chairman of RoadPeace, a charity that campaigns for road safety.

The speed camera issue made national headlines after the Conservatives raised the possibility of withdrawing Swindon from the partnership unless Government returned the cash generated to the council.

In July Coun Peter Greenhalgh (Con), the lead member for highways, transport and strategic planning, was offered a trophy of excellence by the BBC motoring show, Top Gear for the scrap the cameras suggestion.

Coun Derique Montaut (Lab), transport spokesman on Swindon council, said: “Jeremy Clarkson has pretty much called for Peter Greenhalgh to be made a saint.

“I am somewhat concerned, as a Catholic, about Coun Greenhalgh being recognised by the Pope. Peter’s a great guy, but I’m not sure about him being Saint Peter. Maybe just a knighthood would be good enough.

“What we are concerned about is the need to clock speed on our roads.

“The speed camera on Queens Drive was off for an unacceptable amount of time.

“But I am confident that the council is going to do a u-turn on this. What it did was make a political point, which got local and national coverage.

“Something needs to be done on road safety now.”

Mrs Snelgrove said: “I am pleased that our campaign to get the Queens Drive speed camera back on has been successful.

“I believe that speed cameras should be an integral part of the road safety precautions. That’s why we are urging the council to continue with the safety camera partnership. The council does benefit from that money, which is given back to councils according to need.

“We are quite confident that Swindon Council will think again about this issue.”

Coun Greenhalgh was unimpressed by the suggestions that the council would do a u-turn on abandoning speed cameras.

He said: “The speed camera paper hasn’t even been written yet, so they are either clairvoyant or deluded – take your pick.

“I am waiting for my officers to deliver the paper. That could be anytime between now and October.

“The Government should consider its position regarding councils being used as law enforcement agencies rather than delivering well-maintained streets and roads.”