A Cornwall councillor has admitted she “fist bumped the air” when she saw that someone had destroyed a 30mph speed camera on one of Truro’s busiest roads.

Dulcie Tudor, independent councillor for the Threemilestone and Chacewater division on the outskirts of the city, made the comment after the camera on Tregolls Road was attacked by a vandal in the early hours of Wednesday, January 3. A camera on the A39 at Perranarworthal was also chopped down.

It is the fifth spate of speed camera attacks in Cornwall in recent months with each one being cut down under cover of darkness. It was the second time the Perranarworthal camera has been targeted. The other acts of destruction all took place between Helston and Truro, except for one near Gunnislake.

Ms Tudor took to her councillor page on Facebook to share her glee, saying: “I know it’s wrong, especially as I’m continually being asked by residents to have speed cameras installed, but I fist bumped the air when I saw that someone had cut down the Tregolls Rd speed camera.

“I’m not denying the speed should be brought down to 30mph on that stretch of road BUT there is not nearly enough adequate signage to let drivers know what speed they should be driving to stay within the law. I’ve been caught out by the ‘yellow monster’ as have family and friends. None of us are boy racers and we all thought we were driving at the correct speed.

“If it goes back up, as it surely will, I will be lobbying Truro City Council to improve the 30mph signage. It won’t be difficult. It’s almost as if they’re trying to catch you out!”

Speaking after her post was published, Cllr Tudor told us: “I’m not saying it shouldn’t be 30mph, it’s just that it should be signposted better to make people aware that it’s 30mph. It feels sneaky.”

All of the comments under her post agreed with Cllr Tudor’s sentiments:

“A traffic lighted pedestrian crossing would have been sufficient. I guess half a million pounds in three months is hard to turn down though. Money is money.”

“Very well said, I was also caught, first time in over 30 years driving. Bigger signs would do the trick. But wouldn’t bring in revenue.”

“Agreed. I was prosecuted for speeding there at two minutes past midnight. Had no idea it was 30.”

“I’ve been caught out there doing a detour due to an accident on the A30 at 6am in the morning. First motoring offence since passing my test in December 1976 (47 years).”

“I too know people who have been caught by this monster. Some doing vital services that need a licence. It needs to come down permanently and the road restored to a 40. If the Richard Lander and Truro College kids can cross a 40mph so can the those crossing here. Just need a pedestrian crossing putting in at the lights not a money maker which is all this camera is.”

“Hear hear. It’s so wrong. A flashing sign informing of our speed before the camera would work and also save lives as it’s proactive not reactive. But oh yeah I forgot … wouldn’t make any money. Hang your heads in SHAME whoever is in charge of this farce.”

One Truro resident jokingly asked Cllr Tudor: “Where were you on the morning of the 3rd at 3am?”

However, not everyone agreed with the councillor’s sentiments. “So not only do you fist bump people taking the law into their own hands, but then you repeat the conspiracy theory that the council only puts up speed cameras for the money. Thought you were better than populism,” stated another commenter.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council have now put out a joint statement in which they state their determination to catch those responsible and replace the cameras as quickly as possible. They also warned that the cost of replacing them will be footed by the taxpayer.

It reads: “We are really disappointed to see yet more mindless vandalism targeted at safety cameras in Cornwall. These devices were installed at the wishes of the community to improve road safety in areas which had previously experienced high speeds and several serious and fatal collisions.

“While these cameras are inactive, these communities no longer have the protection they were once afforded, which is really saddening. The cost of replacing these cameras is also a burden which has to be footed by the taxpayer, making these attacks all the more bizarre.

“Devon and Cornwall Police are working with Cornwall Council and the communities involved to replace the cameras as quickly as possible and identify those who have carried out this vandalism.”