A PIONEERING speed camera trial is to be extended after the number of vehicles speeding past a Poole school fell sharply.

The average speed camera, developed by Siemens, was installed outside Springdale First School in Broadstone in September.

Its effect has been dramatic – the number of vehicles speeding past the school at more than 40mph at peak times has dropped from 64 an hour to 16.

Although no enforcement can take place as the device is yet to be approved by the Home Office, the initial promise means the Safezone camera will remain in place for now.

Ruth Leach, headteacher at Springdale, said: “The school and parents are delighted that the trial seems to have been so successful.

“Parents have expressed the view that SafeZone has made a positive difference to road safety awareness on Springdale Road.”

Three SafeZone cameras were installed along Springdale Road, each monitoring two lanes of traffic in both directions.

The trial included the installation of colourful road signs, designed by Springdale pupils, telling drivers to slow down.

The SafeZone system uses 3G communications to send both data and images to the Siemens office in Poole.

Average speed cameras have previously been used only on motorways and A roads, but this is the first time they have been installed in residential areas.

Martin Baker, principal road safety engineer for Poole council, hailed the SafeZone system and said the trial had the continued support of the community.

A poll of parents, conducted by the school, found 93 per cent of parents agreed that the use of average speed cameras was beneficial