THEY'RE big, bright yellow and have become the thorn in the side of speeding motorists across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

But the county's new multi-million-pound speed camera system has sparked more than just frustration among drivers.

They are angry that the amount of cash coined in from the fines slapped on motorists since the scheme was introduced in April has not been revealed.

They are also demanding to know why one of the cameras has been placed just beyond long-running roadworks on Southampton's Mountbatten Way.

Motorist say the 30mph limit enforced by the camera should not be continued after the roadworks towards the edge of the city centre - a three lane route which would normally be a 50mph zone.

The AA wants the amount collected in fines to be revealed as a matter of public interest.

Spokesman Rebecca Rees said: "We have always said that the police and local authorities have to be as honest and open as possible about speed cameras, including why they are there and how much they are making. It is a matter of public interest.

"I can't see any reason for the information not being made available. If the information is not available, that is when people become suspicious as to the reasons why they are there. It is in everyone's interests to see how they are doing and how many tickets are being issued."

As well as the secrecy of the fines, drivers are also furious about the 30mph speed limit imposed after the bridge works on Mountbatten Way.

Paul Blagdon, 31, from Chandler's Ford said: "My brother has been done on Mountbatten Way. I don't understand why there needs to be a 30mph speed limit when it is a dual carriageway. I would like to know how many people have been fined and how much money has been made."

His views were echoed by Kelly Wheeler, 25, who uses the road regularly travelling to her home in Totton.

She said: "I wonder why they put a camera there at all?

"It makes you wonder if they are just trying to get more money through fines because I can't see any reason why drivers should be reduced to 30mph. In some ways it is more dangerous doing that as drivers are forced to slow quickly."

Motorist Alistair Porter, 60, said: "I think it is a bit of a money-spinner to put a camera on a dual carriageway.

"I would have thought the cameras would have been more helpful within the city where keeping to 30mph is important."

All the cameras are run by the Safety Camera Partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which has been criticised for not releasing the information.

Speed camera operators in Dorset have even published details of how many drivers were caught at each individual camera site.

Today the partnership defended its stance. Spokesman Julian Hewitt said: "Our policy is not to release them, certainly not at the initial stage because we feel the figures would fluctuate up and down for all sorts of reasons and we will get a more accurate picture over six months rather than one month."

Motorists who speed run the risk of a £60 fine and three points on their license. Fines up to £1,000 can be imposed for driving at dangerously high speeds.

The roadworks and bridge repairs at Mountbatten Way are due to be completed in September and the road will remain a 30mph zone until the work is finished.

The partnership has promised to release fuller figures on ticket numbers and where "hot-spots" are in September this year.

Figures that have been released so far reveal that the number of people speeding where the cameras have been introduced has fallen by a massive 68 per cent.

Dr Marion Sinclair, manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, said: "The partnership is delighted with the results from the camera sites so far. We've seen huge reductions in average speeds at sites that are known to have high accident rates, and that is what this partnership is about."

Do you have a view on speed cameras? Should we be told how many drivers are caught and how much money is made in fines? Contact the newsdesk on 023 8042 4503 or e-mail using the link above.