Sir – What hasn’t been questioned in the debate regarding speed cameras is the very high costs presented for their operation.

With numberplate recognition software now commonplace, and a mobile telephone network capable of carrying data from any point in the county to a central computer, it might be timely to question the off-quoted sum of £600,000 per year for camera operation. If these costs can be reduced dramatically, those campaigning for their retention may be rewarded more easily.

Dr Chris Huntingford, Wallingford