Speed cameras in the West Midlands that don't reduce accidents could soon be taken out of service.

Independent consultants are reviewing 300 cameras in the region and the ones seen as money-makers rather than life savers will be taken out.

The review was ordered after the West Midlands Planning and Transportation Sub-Committee voiced concerns that all cameras should be there only to stop accidents.

Chairman Coun Les Kyles said: "We have to ensure these cameras are in the right place and equally we have to ensure that if they are not, then they are removed."

"They are there to keep the speeds down and certainly not to raise money, so we as the authorities have a duty to make sure that is the case.

"It is worth remembering that the local authorities don't receive any money - any not used to fund the scheme goes straight to the Treasury."

But road safety campaigners said that accident rates had dropped drastically since the widespread introduction of cameras.

In the last 12 months alone, 55,000 West Midland motorists paid fines totalling £3.29 million, compared to 46,000 drivers paying out £2.76 million the previous year.

Nigel Humphries, Midlands spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, welcomed the new independent survey.

He said: "In our opinion a very high number of speed cameras do nothing to serve road safety, but are simply there to raise money.

"I just hope this survey doesn't turn out to be a whitewash."