10,000 fined in M54 speed trap

The 50mph zone in roadworks near Junction 2 for Wolverhampton is checked by average speed cameras. They were installed in May last year and will stay for several more months.

The cameras were switched on as work began on a sliproad linking the motorway with the new i54 business park.

Council bosses today reminded drivers the 50 mph restriction will still be in force over the busy Bank Holiday – and will continue until later this year.

Drivers snared by the Average Speed Checks are fined around £100, which can be reduced for paying early.

Figures show the rate of tickets being issued has slowed dramatically, with just over 2,000 issued since the turn of the year.

This compares to 6,400 drivers who were it by fines in the first four months since the cameras were introduced in May last year.

Gemma Styles, spokeswoman for Staffordshire County Council, said: "To date, we have issued 10,329 notices of intended prosecution from the i54 enforcement. This includes offences up to April 14 this year.

"The enforcement will be in place until the M54 junction works have been completed which is likely to be later this year."

Staffordshire County Council bosses say the speed restriction is in place for the safety of workers and drivers too.

They say the long-term benefits of the work will be huge for the county, bringing thousands of jobs.

The i54 is home to Jaguar Land Rover, which is currently putting final touches to a new £500 million engine plant.

Councillor Mark Winnington, county economy boss, said driving at 50 mph through the work adds just 40 seconds to a journey. "Of course the vast majority of people using the M54 are driving responsibly and sticking to the speed limit, but the number of people being issued fixed penalty notices is still far too high," he said.

"Any money collected from fines goes straight to central government; our focus is the safety of motorists and workers building the new junction. The construction work is being carried out as quickly as possible."