AVERAGE speed cameras which have been put in place in Wrexham and Flintshire will be fully operational next month.

The yellow cameras can be seen along a stretch of the A483 in Wrexham, and the A494 Trunk Road (St David’s Park Interchange to Deeside Industrial Park Interchange), but they are not live as of yet. However, they will be fully operational and monitoring people’s speed at some point next month, according to Welsh Government.

Temporary 50mph speed limits were put in place last year, but those limits have now been made permanent and cameras will be operational to ensure drivers stick to it.

The announcement that the speed limits are to become permanent was met with a mixed reaction from drivers across the counties, but the Welsh Government have reiterated that they are to stay.

The cameras have been put in place but calibration of the cameras is still taking place in order to police the speed limit reductions, aimed at tackling nitrogen dioxide levels.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Works are due to be completed this month on the installation of the fixed 50mph speed limit signs and average speed cameras on the A483 and A494.

“Last year we published the supplemental plan to the UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, which confirms the measures moving forward to address air quality at five locations by introducing speed limits.

“The plan confirms that we intended to retain the 50mph speed limits for as long as they are required to maintain air quality standards.

“Compliance with the 50mph speed limits is essential to achieving the predicted air quality improvements at the sites. The reduced speed limit is being supported through the installation of average speed cameras.

“Calibration of the average speed cameras at all four sites across Wales are taking place this month and the plan is that the cameras will be live from next month.”

Councillor Christine Jones, of Sealand, told the Leader she welcomes the permanent speed limit.

She said: "I'm going to agree with it because it's a safety issue. Anything that's going slow traffic is going to be good and it's helping the environment at the same time.

"It's going to save lives and save the environment, stop the pollution, well what's the cost to that?

"You can't go fast along there anyway at the best of times, especially bank holiday weekends, it drags along. Two bank holiday weekends, the traffic has hardly moved up there. You get accidents even in traffic jams because people try and be smart and clever and do silly things.

"How many accidents do we get along there? Virtually every day you have a blue light going through. If you can slow these vehicles doing 100mph then it's a good thing."