Jamcams TV

Traffic hold-ups as they happen - that's what a new scheme delivers to Bristol motorists via CCTV. But even if it was available in London, says Andrew Baxter, would we want it?

HOW would you like to stare gloomily at lines of gridlocked cars even before you get behind the wheel?

That's what motorists in Bristol are able to do by downloading images from the internet of potential traffic black spots from police cameras.

The six-month pilot scheme in the West Country is focused on 15 roadside CCTV cameras on the M4, M5, M48, M49 and both Severn crossings. London could get a similar scheme but only if private- sector finance can be found.

Snapshots updated every five minutes are posted on the BBC Bristol and Highways Agency websites and live pictures are aired during HTV traffic bulletins.

AA Roadwatch at

Stanmore, Middlesex, also receives footage from the Bristol "jamcams" along with a similar RAC facility in the city.

Roadwatch operators then relay details of hold-ups to radio stations while the RAC alerts drivers with Trafficmaster devices in their cars. Both have premium-rate, mobile phone traffic information hotlines.

CCTV cameras have already been installed on motorways including the M25 and M1. The Highways Agency says the trial is a success and plans to extend coverage at key trouble spots, including roads linking motorways to airports, ports and towns and cities.

But at pounds 6,000 per camera, and pounds 100,000 for each police control room, it is hampered by the cost,

unless commercial partners can be found.

The AA - which receives a live feed from the M25 cameras and 300 other cameras installed by the Metropolitan Police inside the London orbital motorway area - fears it could turn out to be little more than a gimmick.

Ruth Bridger, project manager in the AA's motoring policy unit, said checking the state of the roads before leaving home or the office is of limited value if traffic conditions change rapidly.

And she warned that the system would only be expanded to London and other areas if the cost of licensing live jamcam feeds is covered by higher fees charged to drivers and radio stations for traffic information.

"We have to ask whether

the end user is prepared to pay for this service," she said.

John Lansdown, RAC travel news manager, said: "It may add a certain amount of dynamism to television traffic bulletins but we have yet to form a view on the benefit of putting images on a website."

The Association of British Drivers also fears it could lead to a two-tier traffic information system, where only those who can afford to pay for in-car navigation services will receive uptodate details about delays.

"Thirty-six billion pounds is taken from motorists in tax every year.

Everyone should have access to the information, no matter where they live or how affluent they may be," said road safety and transport spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie.

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