SPEEDING bikers on two busy south Essex roads can now be caught by average speed cameras.

When the cameras on the A127 and Canvey Way were installed in 2009, the decision was taken to make them forward facing in order to catch the faces of car drivers.

However, it means they are unable to catch bikers who do not have number plates on the front.

After receiving a recommendation from Essex Police, as well as complaints from residents, cameras on both roads will be turned around from the end of March.

The cameras, owned by Essex County Council, will also be upgraded.

Andrew Harris, senior road safety officer at Essex County Council, said: “There were a number of reasons why we decided to do this.

“In 2009, the view at the time was to have the forward facing to get an image of the offending driver. However, the images were not always clear enough if there was a reflection.

“It also became the police’s view that it was important to catch speeding motorbikes and we had complaints from residents that it was unfair that motorbikes couldn’t be caught by the cameras.

“We were upgrading the cameras and decided to turn them around at the same time. We are hoping these will clamp down on speeding.

“Both cameras have been very effective at reducing the average speed and casualties so this is just the next step.”

If caught, drivers face either a speed awareness course, a £100 fine and three points or a court appearance with three to six points and up to £1,000 fine - depending on the circumstances.

Essex Police’s casualty reduction officer Adam Pipe welcomed the news.

He said: “Motorcyclists account for 26 per cent of all people killed or seriously injured.

“That is a significant number so any action to reduce this number is welcome.”

John Anderson, deputy town mayor of Canvey, said cameras are needed to stop bikers overtaking on Canvey Way.

He said: “What concerns me is bikers who cross over the centre line when they are overtaking.

“That is extremely dangerous and CCTV cameras should be installed to catch them.”

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “The recent conversion of all Essex Safety Camera to digital means that we now get far clearer images of the number plates of speeding vehicles, even at night.

“While the conversion was taking place the Safer Essex Roads Partnership took the opportunity to makes these cameras rear facing, which means they catch all vehicles including motorcycles.”