NEW speed cameras have been installed on two busy roads in Inverclyde in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes happening there.

They are at Regent Street in Greenock and Dubbs Road in Port Glasgow and are among a list of six which have been put in place here and in Glasgow.

The locations were selected because there have been 49 recorded injury collisions, with eight in 10 vehicles speeding.

Councillor David Wilson, convener of Inverclyde Council’s local police and fire scrutiny panel, said: “I’m delighted that in partnership with our partners at Speed Cameras Scotland we’ve been able to install these two new permanent speed cameras at key locations in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

"It’s important that we continue to look at ways to make our communities and roads safer and this is one way of doing that.

"The addition of these new speed cameras will help improve road safety at these sites and, crucially, help change driver behaviour for the benefit of pedestrians and road users."

The new Home Office-approved cameras are part of a £400,000 investment through the Scottish Safety Camera Programme in new safety camera technology across the country.

Each site was identified following a 'comprehensive annual safety camera site selection process' which assessed all roads across Scotland.

The aim of the cameras is to improve driver behaviour and ensure more motorists adhere to the speed limit.

The authorities say that evidence from fixed safety cameras across Scotland shows that cameras can help to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on similar roads.

The delivery of all cameras at these locations was supported by Transport Scotland, Police Scotland and local partners.

Alan Bowater, Safety Camera Unit Manager for the West, said: “Driving at safe speeds has been shown to reduce the risk of road death and injury, enabling more people to make safe and healthy journeys.

"Staying within the speed limit gives drivers enough time to spot and react to hazards on the road, but if an impact was to occur it would be less likely to cause serious injury or a fatality.

"By introducing enforcement at these locations drivers will be influenced to travel at more appropriate speeds and in turn reduce the number of casualties on Scotland’s road as a result.”

The cameras have been provided by tech firm Jenoptik.

Geoff Collins, the company's deputy managing director, said: “Jenoptik has a long history of supporting casualty reduction schemes across Scotland, through the provision of average speed cameras.

"These new Vector SR spot speed cameras build on this experience, providing Police Scotland with the very latest in enforcement technology.

"We look forward to making these sites safer for residents and road users alike."