M54 cameras catch 6,400 speeding
More than 6,400 drivers have been caught breaking the 50mph speed limit in place on the M54 in Staffordshire, as work forges ahead to create a new slip road from the carriageway.
Average speed cameras are in operation around junction two of the motorway, where work is ongoing to create a slip road to the multi-million pound i54 business park development.
Speed limits and cameras have been put in place along the route and it today emerged that since May, a total of 6,426 drivers have been snared and fined around £100 for travelling over the limit.
Council bosses today urged motorists to stick to the speed limit and warned they could put themselves and others in danger if they do not. They revealed the number of speeding drivers tends to increase at weekends when the volume of traffic is higher.
Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said the speed limit was in place to protect drivers and workers. "It is essential for the safety of the workforce and other road users that motorists drive within the 50mph speed limit along this stretch of the M54 while the works are being carried out," he said.
He added that the vast majority of people using the motorway were driving responsibly but the number being issued with fixed penalty notices was far too high.
"Any money collected from fines goes straight to central government, so it is not in our interest to issue them," he said.
"Our focus is the safety of motorists and workers building the new junction."
He said construction work to give access to the i54 development was being carried out as quickly as possible.
