Many road users and pedestrians have noticed the large number of cameras and signs installed by Tracsis at various locations round Ross.  A sign attached to the temporary cameras explains that they are for an ANPR/CCTV operation.

Tracis told the Ross Gazette that they supplied and installed the equipment on behalf of Balfour Beatty Living Places.

Herefordshire Council told the Gazette that Balfour Beatty is conducting a Market Town Study of traffic journeys taken, either within the town of Ross-on-Wye, or through the town. This information will then be used when they make any future decisions on road improvements or changes.

There are cameras at ten locations which recorded the start and end points of journeys on June 6th only. While the registration number is recorded to understand individual journeys taken, the data is then anonymised into categories for motorcycles, car, vans, HGV’s etc. The council does not receive the number plate data, only the category of vehicle making the journey and the point or points at which it was recorded. This tells the Council whether the vehicle passed through the town or made a local journey within the town, but not the journey’s origin or final destination.

Automatic traffic counts, using rubber tubes laid across roads, are also taking place this week.

The survey is not publicised in advance because the study needs to measure normal traffic flows. As the sign with the cameras says the company undertaking the work deletes registration plate data after three months and the information is not used for any law enforcement purpose.