CONTROVERSIAL speed traps on the M4 are being cautiously hailed a success after it was revealed the number of accidents on the stretch had been significantly cut.

But bosses are refusing to say how many people have been caught speeding there, or how much money will be go to the Treasury in fines.

Since the cameras were launched a month ago the number of people killed or seriously injured is down by 60 per cent on the same period in the last four years.

The average number of accidents on the M4 between junction 14 and 18 is 12 over the last four years but Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership figures says there have been five since the cameras were introduced.

Project manager Dave Frampton said: "It's far too early to give any complete answer on this but if we can maintain the same sort of trend it would be absolutely brilliant."

Speed cameras have been keeping a watchful eye on motorists along the dangerous stretch of Wiltshire motorway every day for the past month.

Mr Frampton said they were in place for a minimum of 40 minutes each day in one or more of seven bridges along the M4. Drivers doing 79mph or more face a £60 fine and three points on their licence.

"Although I get a lot of e-mails against the cameras I have received others giving it a different slant," he said.

"People are telling me it's a much more pleasant road to drive on now and they are honestly pleased with the difference."

The partnership submits numbers of drivers caught to the Department of Transport but a spokesman said it is a policy decision not to reveal how many drivers have been caught, or how much is made in fines.

"We want to focus on the number of accidents being cut,'' she said. "It was a decision taken by the Chief Constable.''

But other motorists feel strongly against the cameras and on April 30 almost 300 vehicles joined a slow protest drive along the M4 between Leigh Delamere and Membury services.