Whatever your view on speed cameras, it's been an interesting discussion. This is Anne's debate with Council Leader Rod Bluh on the issue:

People in Swindon have been writing to Anne to give their view, you can email Anne at annesnelgrovemp@parliament.uk: 

Dear Anne Snelgrove,

I would like to add my opinion to Swindon's councils suggestion to dispose of all the speed camera's in Swindon because of cost of running them. Surely the loss of a life of a speeding driver far out way's the cost of running the speed camer's. I am a keen cyclist and am a member of the Cyclist's Touring Club,I also attend the road safety group which meets every two months to discuss road safety issues. I know you are against Swindon's council's proposal to dispense with the speed camer's, I totally agree with you, this action surely will cause more accidents and maybe even more deaths on the roads. I believe the flashing warning signs that tell the driver they are going over the speed limit have a part to play in road safety but surely they cannot be as effective as a fine or a driving ban if a motorist is caught speeding by a camera.

I would like to draw your attention to the speed camera on Queen's Drive which is out of action and has been for some time would it be possible for you to find out why this is.

I have seen drivers treat this road as a race track because they know the camera is out of action.

I believe we all have a right to use the road and feel as safe as possible, it is dangerous enough being a cyclist on the road i feel taking away the speed camer's that this will make it even more dangerous. The government want motorist's to get out of there cars and get on there bike's which i totally agree with,but i think we must make the roads as safe as possible for people so they feel they can leave there cars at home. So please lobby the council as hard as possible to reverse there idea and try and get them to see how speed camera's have an important roll to play in road safety.

Yours sincerely,

TJ Myers

Dear Editor,

ROAD DEATHS AND RAT RUNS

The local Conservative Council leadership is seeking to challenge the UK Government on speed cameras. By all means look into the merits and otherwise of speed cameras, but please do not help encourage an all too common culture that denies the fact that excessive speed on the roads kills. Do we want to see more rat runs because irresponsible road users know that they will never be caught for going over the speed limit?

Don't forget that the same callous Tory-led Council cut back domestic waste collection from bins in the Borough. That cost-cutting has very likely led to greater local concentrations of flies and other vermin.

Taking the two Swindon Borough Council actions together it is extremely easy to be reminded of something that the founder of the National Health Service (NHS) said 60 years ago.

Aneurin Bevan, who brought the NHS into life in 1948, described the Tories then as being "lower than vermin". How sadly suitable is that phrase to describe the Conservative Group on Swindon Borough Council now.

Yours faithfully,

G Day