More than 10,000 fines have been handed out to drivers caught speeding by the M6 roadworks in just a few months, new figures from National Highways reveal.
A temporary 40mph limit was introduced along the route in March to protect workers carrying out the £9 million refurbishments to Lowther Bridge. Average speed cameras, activated by the roadworks on 12 June, have since caught a barrage of motorists disobeying the restrictions.
As a result, the road safety authority has been forced to issue warnings to protect workers at the site. It has reminded drivers that speeding through these works is risking collisions with heavy machinery and other equipment, as well as endangering the lives of highway workers.
In addition, it noted that the lowered limit adds less than a minute to drivers’ journeys, yet failing to comply could result in a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence.
Extra warning signs have also been placed along the route to remind motorists of the temporary limit. The restrictions had been gradually reduced to 40mph from 50mph to help drivers adjust to the new limit, but the high number of offences has made it clear that extra measures are necessary.
Steve Mason, National Highways’ programme manager, said: “Safety is our number one priority. Tens of thousands of people use this section of the M6 every day, but for the sake of shaving an extra minute or two off their journey times, some drivers are putting their own safety and the safety of our roadworkers at risk.
“Our staff and contractors are working around the clock to complete this project as quickly as possible, and they’re entitled to do that safely without the threat of being maimed or killed by someone recklessly speeding through the roadworks.”
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