22 drivers a day caught speeding during M5 works

Around 22 drivers a day were caught speeding along just seven miles of the busy M5 motorway during a £9.32 million roadworks scheme, it emerged today.

Highways bosses today warned motorists using the M6 during an ongoing £126.4 million scheme to open up the hard shoulder to expect similarly tough action if they break the temporary 50mph speed limit imposed while the work takes place. A 40mph limit was imposed between junction three of the M5 and just beyond junction 4a throughout the five-month scheme.

A total of £185,100 in fines was raked in over the 140 days between the project's launch in November to its end in April, as 3,085 motorists were caught breaking the limit.

Highways Agency spokesman Bas Abdulla said speed restrictions were necessary to ensure the safety of both drivers and workers.

"Cameras are used to help minimise the risk faced by road workers – who are often working in difficult conditions next to live traffic – and for drivers passing through the works area," he said.

"Lanes have been narrowed during the works and it isn't always safe for drivers to continue travelling at high speeds. Temporary CCTV cameras have also been installed to monitor the area for broken down vehicles and other incidents.

"To safely apply a higher speed limit we would need to install a barrier around the site, which would be costly and would extend the duration of the works."

Motorists travelling along the M6 have been hit by delays of up to an hour throughout the day since the M6 works got underway earlier this year.

Queues during rush hour can stretch as far back as junction 10A from the start of the work at junction 8, with drivers heading along the Black Country Route to the island at junction 10 also facing long queues.