PC Neil Turner with one of the cameras Picture Ref: 76961-25SPEEDS on the Swindon stretch of the M4 have reduced dramatically since last week's launch of safety cameras, it has been claimed.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership is already claiming a victory after monitoring traffic flows on the motorway from junction 14 at Hungerford and junction 18 at Bath, where speed cameras in marked vans have been in operation from bridges for a week.

Drivers who are just nine mph over the limit now face a £60 fine and three points on their licence.

The partnership says initial monitoring for its first five days has shown that motorists are observing the speed limit, even at times when there has been no enforcement carried out.

David Frampton, project manager, said: "The strategy to place camera enforcement signs along the entire stretch of the M4 in Wiltshire has worked.

"Motorists have ample opportunity to notice the signs and they are slowing down through their entire journey along this section the motorway."

On average 84,000 vehicles use the Wiltshire section of the M4 in any one 24-hour period.

During a single hour of monitoring of those motorists exceeding the speed limit, only four were detected between 85mph and 90mph and only one motorist was travelling at or above 91mph.

"Normally we would expect a higher proportion of motorists exceeding 85mph," said Sgt Nick Blencowe, for the safety camera unit.

"This dramatic drop in motorists breaking the law can only be as a direct result of the presence of cameras and the real possibility of being caught."

Meanwhile, police have criticised plans for a protest over the speed checks.

As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Adver, Robin Summerhill, 52, of Chippenham, has arranged a go-slow protest along the motorway for Saturday, April 30.

But Superintendent Richard Rowland, of Swindon Police, said: "The speed limit on the motorway is 70mph. For some reason many people think it is perfectly all right to drive much faster than this, it is not.

"It appears that the only way that many drivers will take heed of this message, is when there is a risk of being fined."