Cameras catch 3,000 speeding motorists
THREE thousand motorists have been caught by cameras breaking a reduced average speed limit on a stretch of motorway in Leicestershire.
Speed cameras were installed along the M1, between junctions 23a for East Midlands Airport and junction 25, just south of Nottingham, to enforce a reduced 50mph speed limit.
They were introduced on May 22 to monitor average speeds while the 7.5 mile stretch of road is upgraded to a so-called ‘smart’ motorway as part of a £120million project by Highways England.
Jonathan Clarkson, spokesman for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership, said: “The average speed enforcement is in place to allow the 7.5-mile stretch of road to be upgraded to a smart motorway, construction is due to end in December 2018.
“Although 3,000 speeding vehicles initially sounds very high, we are in fact talking about a period of around 17 weeks.
“This averages at around 25 vehicles caught per day and is a very small fraction of the 130,000 vehicles which use this road daily.”
The police have sent ‘notices of intended prosecution’ to each of the registered keepers of the 3,000 vehicles caught breaking the average speed limit.
This asks them to supply driver details so further action can be taken, which could include a fine and penalty points on their licence.
They owner must respond within 28 days or they risk six penalty points on their licence and a fine of up to £1,000.
The roadworks involve converting the hard shoulder into a permanent fourth lane north of Kegworth and the installation of new CCTV cameras and electronic information signs on gantries to reduce traffic speeds and managed traffic flow and incidents.
Emergency refuge areas will be installed along the length of the scheme, along with a reinforced barrier and hardened central reservation to further improve safety.
Mr Clarkson said: “The M1 is a strategic route that carries high volumes of heavy goods and other vehicles.
“Drivers currently experience congestion and unreliable journey times at busy periods and traffic is predicted to grow, particularly with the growth of East Midlands Airport.”
Highways England said work is ahead of schedule.
Project manager David Cooke said: “We’re working hard to complete this work as quickly as we can.
“By upgrading this stretch of motorway we will reduce congestion, improve travel times and make journeys more reliable.”
He added: “This work will also support the economy and boost economic growth within the region by improving traffic flow on the motorway, so reducing the cost of economic delay to commuters and business traffic.”
Meanwhile, an average 50mph speed limit has also been introduced for 1km (0.62miles) at the Groby Road overbridge, near junction 21 of the M1 at Markfield.
It was brought in on September 11 to allow maintenance work to be carried out to the bridge. the