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Hauliers are to be urged to fit cameras on lorries under new safety standards to protect cyclists.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill told MPs that the cameras can be installed on existing heavy goods vehicles rather than just new ones.

But the Government was criticised for not making cameras mandatory for HGVs following fatal accidents involving lorries and cyclists in London.

Cameras will be part of several safety devices which hauliers can choose from to meet a new safety standard. Mr Goodwill said Britain was leading moves at the UN Economic Commission for Europe for improved mirror systems on lorries.

But he said there were no plans to require lorries to have sensing systems to detect cyclists alongside. “A full assessment of these systems will be needed before reaching a decision to impose additional costs,” he added. HGVs in Belgium and Holland already must be fitted with blind-spot mirrors or cameras and Respect MP George Galloway, who has signalled that he may launch a bid to be the next Mayor of London, condemned the Government for not going far enough.

“I welcome a European-wide initiative to make cycling safer through the installation of cameras on large vehicles, but this has to be mandatory and not optional,” he said.

“The Department of Transport seems to be worried about cost but how many more cyclists must be killed or injured for the cost to be right? This is urgent. We can’t wait for Brussels.”

The Bradford West MP urged the Government to launch a public education campaign to encourage all cyclists to follow safe practices.

Mr Goodwill said a four-week campaign targeting drivers and cyclists with cycle safety messages had just been completed and that its results were being analysed.

This week, Labour unveiled a ten-point list of safety features that would be fitted to lorries to safeguard cyclists. These include reversing alarms, rear-view cameras, flashing lights and beacons, daytime running lights, Cyclops mirror, rear warning signs for cyclists, tipper sheeting, side under-run guards, blind-spot elimination devices and audible warnings.

Police issued 1,392 fixed penalty notices to drivers and 755 to cyclists in the first three days of its mass road safety operation this week.

Car and lorry drivers committed offences that included using a mobile, jumping red lights and crossing advance stop lines. Cyclists were penalised for jumping red lights, cycling on pavements and incorrect or no lights.