Yorkshire motorway cameras earn £8K a day after speed limit dropped to 60mph

Aerial drone photo of the busy M1 motorway near Barnsley

A smart motorway in Yorkshire is handing out over £8,000 in fines each day to unsuspecting motorists because the speed limit has been lowered from 70mph to 60mph.

The camera catching speeders is on the M1 between junctions 33 and 34 near Sheffield and Rotherham. It’s on the north side of the road by Brinsworth, reports Birmingham Live. More than 22,000 drivers have got speeding tickets on the M1.

Stephen Elderkin from National Highways, who looks after the environment, said they’re still working out if the new 60 mph speed helped make less pollution. “We are working hard to finalise the analysis of the vast amount of data collected and will be publishing the reports in due course.”

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Jack Cousens from the AA said drivers need to remember they control how fast they go. “With speeding at a record high, it is a timely reminder that the best regulator of speed is the driver’s right foot.” Someone from the Government told The Telegraph that going too fast is dangerous. “Speeding on any road is dangerous, which is why we have strict laws in place against it, and fines help to enforce them.”

They also said they stopped making new smart motorways because people were worried. “Recognising public concerns, we’ve cancelled new smart motorways and we’re investing £900million for safety improvements, including progressing the construction of 150 extra emergency areas.” They decided not to build any more smart motorways in 2023 because people didn’t think they were safe.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated: “All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country. That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.”

“Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.” Transport Secretary Mark Harper noted: “We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns.”

“Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation.”