Dangerous Devon road may get £1m for cameras and AI

AI cameras could be introduced on a road in north Devon where numerous accidents have happened

A notorious stretch of road in Devon may have £1m spent on artificial intelligence (AI) and speed cameras to cut offences by drivers and prevent other incidents.

The A361 between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple has been identified as a "high risk" road by the Department for Transport (DfT), with three deaths and 30 serious injuries between 2018 and 2022.

AI cameras could detect offences such as not wearing a seatbelt or drivers being distracted by mobile phones, backers of the proposals said.

Devon County Council's cabinet will decide later whether or not to approve spending £1m from a £5m DfT grant on the technology.

In a pilot scheme involving AI cameras last August, police recorded almost 1,800 potential offences of seatbelts not being worn or mobile phone distraction for motorists travelling from Braunton to Barnstaple.

Under the latest plans, three speed cameras would be installed at Knowle, Ilfracombe and Ashford.

Two average speed camera systems have also been planned between Ashford and Chivenor and between Knowle and Mullacott Cross.

The mounted AI cameras would be moved around between different sites along the A361.

Plans are being put together to spend the other £4m of the DfT grant on improving junctions and access to the A361 for walkers and cyclists.