A NEW wave of speed cameras is being rolled out across the county in response to demands from towns and villages.

Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership has received 155 requests from residents and parish councils for tougher speed enforcement, with Oxfordshire's road deaths total well up on last year.

And while the number of speed cameras continues to infuriate motorists, it is now clear that people living in rural parts of the county are pressing hard for more.

The TVSRP has already agreed to speed cameras being introduced at 22 new sites. Many more are expected to follow in the New Year, although residents will be disappointed to learn that the cameras will be operating from vans and will be visiting sites on an occasional basis.

The latest sites from which speed cameras will be operating were announced this week are all in south Oxfordshire. The sites are in High Street, Culham; Sires Hill, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell; Wantage Road, Wallingford; London Road, Blewbury; and Bessel's Way, Blewbury.

A list of potential speed enforcement sites has been provided by the partnership, following demands from MPs for more speed cameras in the county.

The new speed cameras are being introduced under the Community Concern scheme, which allows speed cameras to be introduced in response to local demands for action.

The position of speed cameras is still determined by the number of deaths and accidents on particular roads. But under new regulations 15 per cent of enforcement activity can be initiated in response to local concerns.

Richard Owen, pictured, operations manager for Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership, said: "These requests have come from individuals, groups of residents and parish councils.

"We process all these requests individually and ask Oxfordshire County Council and the police to comment on the suitability of the site for enforcement."

He said that of the 155 requests for speed enforcement, so far 22 had already been successful.

He added: "There remain 77 requests in Oxfordshire still to be processed by the partnership team, some of which may result in new enforcement locations."

A crash at Eynsham this week brought the death toll on Oxfordshire's roads up to 59 this year, 19 higher than last year's total.

Oxfordshire already uses cameras at 107 sites, 74 with fixed boxes and 33 covered by mobile cameras fitted in vans.

Claire Lacey, 31, of High Street, Culham, said: "It's pretty much like a Grand Prix track in the mornings and evenings."

As reported last month, the House of Commons transport select committee said it wanted to see more money made available to cover more places with cameras.