A speed camera missing from a Maidstone road for six months is due to be replaced in the coming weeks.

The ageing wet-film device, which was on Loose Road near the junction with Plains Avenue before it was removed from its pole, is set to be upgraded with new digital one.

The 21-year-old technology used sensors embedded in the road surface, whereas the new one will use radar to detect speeding drivers.

It will be the test for a wider scheme to modernise cameras across the county, with the cost for each site expected to be between £25,000 and £30,000.

Colin Evans of the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership said: “This should be seen against the cost to the economy of fatal and serious crashes, estimated by the Department for Transport in 2015 to be £1.7million per fatality and £200k per serious injury.

“The polygon area of road covered by this camera and the camera on the opposite carriageway saw nine people killed or seriously injured in the three years prior to their installation; however in the last three years this reduced to just two serious injury crashes there.”

The camera, which monitors a 30mph limit, is expected to be installed by the end of the month or early February.

Figures show the Loose camera is one of several in Maidstone which have witnessed the lowest number of offences.

In 2015, the latest year, information is available, the two Loose road cameras, plus those along Hayle Road, Tonbridge Road, London Road, Willington Street, and the A249 Detling (uphill) caught between 0 and 199 speeding motorists.

Figures used to be available for the exact number of fines, but the safety camera partnership now shows offences, within brackets of numbers, dealt with by court appearance, fine, or speed awareness course.

The A249 Detling (downhill) captured 200-499 offences, the 30mph enforcement camera on Sutton Road, witnessed 500-999 speeders and those monitoring variable speeds on the M20 between junction 4 and 7 snared between 1,000 and 4,999 people.

The M25, between Junction 5 and Clackett Lane services caught the highest number of drivers – more than 10,000.