M6 speed cameras: 4,000 drivers caught and £200k in fines raised

The figures show that 3,916 speeding fines were issued over the 2014/15 financial year and almost £200,000 in fines were dished out on the five-mile stretch of road between junction eight and 10a.

Wolverhampton councillor Steve Evans said those motorists who speed through the zone risked the fines, adding 'that's the law'.

The cabinet member for city environment said: "There was a parliamentary review which showed the existing places where they have these systems in place work very well.

"When they are implemented in a safe way, using the laybys for break-downs, there is no issue for me. Speed limits are speed limits. If you go over the speed limit, you're risking a fine, that's the law."

Walsall councillor Lee Jevons, portfolio holder for transport at Walsall Council, said: "Highways England and our engineers are working together to reduce congestion along this route by carrying out major improvements to junction 10 of the M6.

"The £64.5 million project will see new, widened bridges being built over the motorway, improvements to the motorway slip roads, installation of intelligent traffic signals, widening and modernisation of the nearby Bloxwich Lane junction and modification to the Black Country Route.

"These improvements will affect everybody that uses this busy area from motorists getting to and from work to businesses that need to transport their goods and services to the rest of the country."

During the same 2014/15 period, more than 50,000 fixed penalties were issued across the UK, compared to 2,023 in the same period in 2010/11.

Plans were first announced in 2009 to bring in the smart motorway technology around the UK under a government bid to reduce congestion.

The motorways use a variable speed limit and allow vehicles to use the hard shoulder.

With 236 miles of smart motorway already in England, plans are in place to add an extra 200 miles.

Elisabeth Glover, solicitor with Wolverhampton law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, said: "We've not necessarily seen a hike in the number of drivers challenging these types of speeding offences.

"However, we potentially may see a drop in the number of personal injury cases we deal with where someone has been hurt because of a road traffic accident as people become more aware of the cameras and, as a result, slow their speed, in turn reducing the number of accidents."

"We'd advise drivers to be mindful that the speed limit is not necessarily 70mph at all times in all places, keep a close eye on all signage and adjust speed in accordance with the instructions.

"If you are caught speeding, it can be worth consulting a solicitor, particularly if you think you are looking at a ban under the 'totting up' provisions, as 12 points does not necessarily have to mean a ban."

Last month figures showed the same section of the M6 ranked 83rd in the top 100 most congested roads in the country.

The ranking will come as no surprise to regular users of the stretch of motorway, which is often clogged with traffic as the route sees motorists drop down to an average speed of 39mph at the peak time of Monday at 8am.