A motorist speeds on the notorious A419 nearly every minute, according to police figures.

During an hour and a half of speed checks this week, police have caught 75 drivers breaking the limit.

In three instances drivers were travelling between 70 and 80 miles per hour on a stretch of road with a 40mph speed limit.

They all face disqualification from driving and stiff fines.

Three people have been killed since August on the dual carriageway between Cricklade and Blunsdon.

And police officers are convinced there will be even more deaths if drivers continue to ignore the speed limit.

PC Tiny McLellan of the traffic management unit said: "The A419 is known as one of the most dangerous roads in Britain and there are roadworks at the Castle Eaton junction, but motorists are blatantly disregarding the 40mph signs.

"We are doing this for the safety of the motorists and for the safety of the people working on the road."

From now until Christmas police will be regularly stationed along the road, using radar guns to catch those who ignore the law.

Each driver travelling above the limit will be sent a letter by the police.

People caught driving just above 40 miles per hour will receive a £40 fine and three points on their licence.

The faster the car is travelling the stiffer the penalty, including disqualification from driving.

Two officers are needed to conduct the speed checks one to operate the 20/20 LTI laser speed detection gun, which stands on a tripod, and the other to record numbers of speeding cars.

Between now and Christmas work is being carried out to replace the water mains.

The carriageways of the road have been narrowed to allow this to take place.

In the New Year there will be a temporary contraflow between Cricklade and the Castle Eaton junction so road repairs and bridge maintenance can be carried out.

In August two people were killed and this month one person died in separate accidents on the A419. They were all aged in their 20s and 30s.

A survey is currently being carried out by consultant WSP on how the road can be improved.

It should be finished at the end of this year, and was commissioned by the Government after the A419 was revealed as one of the most dangerous roads in the country.