MOTORISTS in East Lancashire were today given a stark warning after almost 2,000 drivers were caught breaking the speed limit on the M6 in four days.

Cameras were set up for the first time ever at motorway roadworks in Lancashire at Forton, near Lancaster.

Police chiefs said they were appalled at the number of people who showed a "flagrant disregard" of safety restrictions on a section of the road where a temporary 50mph restriction was in place.

All of the 1,700 drivers caught on camera will receive a summons in the post and many may face disqualification by the courts.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, of the Police Motorway Unit, said: "I am concerned that so many motorists are clearly exceeding the temporary speed limit which was brought into force to reduce road casualties. "Speed restrictions were introduced for roadworks some years ago because motorists travelling through them are 50 per cent more likely to be involved in a collision.

"I am appalled by the blatant disregard so many motorists have shown for the 50mph mandatory limit."

In the first four days of the automatic speed enforcement period 1,500 motorists were caught driving at more than 75mph and 200 at more than 65mph.

The roadworks are set to continue with overnight lane closures and a contraflow system until just before the Bank Holiday.

The scheme will allow three lanes to run in each direction in order to keep cogestion to a minimum. But those lanes will be very narrow with two contraflow lanes in operation.

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