THE organisation which operates speed cameras in Devon has hit out at allegations by drivers in the Dawlish area that they are illegally placed.

the claims surround a stretch of the A379 at Starcross and come after Dawlish resident peter Harry successfully fought a speeding charge based on what he claimed were wrongly-placed cameras.

After that, several drivers came forward to say they had been fined through the courts for an offence on the same stretch of road and were considering their next move.

Now David Hughes, project manager for Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership, has said that if those who were caught wanted to take the matter further they would have to use the courts.

And the partnership was fully prepared to go to court to argue its case.

Mr Harry had claimed in court there should have been street lighting and 30mph and de-restriction signs along the stretch of road on which he was allegedly caught speeding at 41mph. He also told the court that there did not appear to be a restriction order on that stretch imposed by Devon County Council.

Magistrates dismissed the case.

This week, Mr Hughes said: 'We have checked with Devon County Council, which is responsible for the traffic orders, and it is absolutely categorical that all of the speeding orders are totally legal and is prepared to go to court to support that should anyone else come forward.'

In Mr Harry's case 'it was just unfortunate, due to unusual circumstances, that our technicians who operate the camera were not able to be in court.

'For some unknown reason we had not been contacted to appear.

'The magistrates on the day have the power to make decisions and without hering us, they let him off.

'I feel confident that if someone else takes it to court then they will lose.'

Mr Hughes added: 'I can confirm that changes to Devon County Council's traffic orders in Starcross reducing speed limits were made on July 8, 2002, and no changes to the order have been made since this date.'

Les Hickford, a pensioner from Dawlish who received an on-the-spot fine and penalty points, said: 'I'm not happy with the response from the Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership and if I had the money I would still take it to court.

'Unfortunately, being a pensioner, I don't have the brass or anyone to back me up.'