More than 12,000 drivers caught speeding by average speed cameras on M27

Average speed cameras clocked 12,295 drivers breaking the temporary limit, between Fareham and Eastleigh, since it was introduced in February 2019.

And a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the Echo can also reveal one driver was caught speeding at 117mph through the temporary speed zone.

The limit is in place while Highways England upgrades the M27 to a smart motorway.

Motoring groups have described the figures as “shocking”.

A spokesperson for the RAC said: “Every driver that breaks the limit on a section of roadworks is putting the lives of road workers at risk.

“But it truly beggars belief that a someone has been so irresponsible as to drive at 117mph on one of these stretches.

(The temporary speed limit is enforced by average speed cameras, which measure a vehicle's speed between two points)

“The sight of yellow average speed cameras on the motorway should be heeded by all drivers as there’s simply no escaping them.”

Figures from the FOI request, to Hampshire Constabulary, also reveal that police handed out more than 3,200 fixed penalty notices to drivers caught between February 2019 and January 2020.

With the national fixed penalty amount for speeding set at £100, it means the government could have raked in more than £300,000 in less than 12 months.

Police say around 3,000 drivers were “retrained”, through methods such as the speed awareness course.

A total of 1,446 drivers were prosecuted in the courts.

Police say the figures reflect the finalised cases and there are a number of cases which are still in progress.

Commenting on the figures, Southampton Itchen MP, Royston Smith, said: “The temporary speed limit on the M27 is there for good reason.

“It is only a short stretch of motorway and then the 70 mph limit resumes.”

A spokesperson for Highways England said: “We are grateful to the vast majority of drivers who stick within the limit.

“These figures show that we have robust enforcement measures with our partners in Hampshire to deal with the small minority of drivers who put themselves and others at risk by driving too fast through the roadworks.”

The temporary limit is in place while Highways England carries out a £250 million smart motorway upgrade on the M27, which will see the hard shoulder converted into a fourth lane, with emergency refuges throughout.

(How Highways England says the smart motorway scheme works)

New CCTV cameras and electronic information signs will also be installed along with signals on gantries which will show variable mandatory speed limits and manage traffic flow.

The upgrade works, between junctions 4 and 11, are due to be completed by 2021.