Speed cameras across Cambridgeshire could switch to digital at a cost of £600,000 to help catch more speeding motorists and people who drive through red traffic lights.

There are 36 cameras in the county, all of which are 23-years-old, using old fashioned wet film technology.

A total of eight cameras are in Fenland, comprising four in Whittlesey, one in March, two in Wisbech and one in Chatteris.

There is just one in the East Cambs area, which is on the A10 between Brandon Creek and Littleport, but councillors could decommission it if they agree it is no longer needed.

At the Cambridgeshire County Council Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee next week (Tuesday), councillors will discuss proposals to update safety cameras to digital technology to improve law enforcement.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s chairman of the Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Matthew Shuter said: “As a committee we’re mindful about the devastating consequences collisions can have on people’s lives and it is well known, by the road safety partnership, that cameras have had a significant effect in reducing the number of fatal and serious collisions caused by excessive speeding.

“It is necessary to upgrade the cameras and we suggested a review into the current locations and types of cameras at the same time.

“It’s great we can continue to work with our partners such as the police and Peterborough City Council to ensure everyone is committed to a solution.

“Earlier this year officers began looking into the safety camera programme and as part of this, a review has been carried out on the existing camera location sites.

“The majority are set to be replaced with upgraded digital versions.”

Two sites, in Cherry Hinton Road and on the A10, Littleport, are recommended for removal. This is because Cherry Hinton Road is now 20mph and the Brandon Creek camera has been bagged for a number of years and is no longer necessary.

The remaining 12 sites need further investigation due to some routes possibly suiting an average speed camera system over a longer distance and some that have a Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) project or other scheme in the area that could address the safety issues with or without the need for a camera.”

The cameras across Cambridgeshire were installed in response to a cluster of speed related collisions at or near to the location of the camera. There are currently 33 spot speed cameras, two red light cameras and one average speed camera system.

The cameras are operated in partnership with the police and Peterborough City Council. The aim, if approved, is to implement these changes next year.

The total cost to upgrade the existing wet-film cameras is expected to be between £500,000 and £600,000. The Police and Crime Commissioner will recommend to fund the replacement costs at his Business Coordination Board on September 13.