4,100 drivers caught breaking M5 30mph speed limit
More than 4,000 drivers have been caught speeding through the M5's roadworks, the Express & Star can reveal.
There is a 30mph speed limit in place between Junction 1, for West Bromwich, and Junction 2, for Oldbury, while Highways England undertakes major concrete repair and waterproofing on the route in both directions.
The limit has been in place since January 17 2017, with 4,141 drivers caught speeding between then and January 21 this year.
Figures released by West Midlands via a Freedom of Information request reveal 1,511 speeders were caught in 2017, 2,543 in 2018 and 87 so far this year.
The figures are for both the north and southbound carriageways of the motorway.
Prior to the 30mph limit, there is also a 50mph zone on the motorway. However West Midlands Police has revealed it does not enforce the 50mph zone, it is only in place to get driver's to reduce their speed before reaching the 30mph zone.
A spokesman explained: "The enforcement section is the 30mph speed limit and we are only enforcing the 30mph speed limit as this is what Highways England wanted us to enforce.
"The 50mph speed limit was introduced to try and reduce everyone’s speed before hitting the main 30mph area, and hopefully reduce incidents that could occur, again on advice from Highways England."
A Highways England spokesman said: “Safety is our number one priority and we plan maintenance and improvement projects to allow works to proceed in the safest and most cost-effective way, with minimum disruption to road users.
“At the same time motorists should respect our road workers – slow down near road works and obey speed limits and signs.”
Highways England has a contraflow system in place to separate workers from speeding drivers.
It added it hopes to complete repairs to the northbound carriageway of the M5 by spring this year, with more information available at highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/m5-junction-1-to-2-oldbury-viaduct/
