Advertisement

Britain’s most profitable speed camera made same amount as a ‘successful medium-sized business'

The speed camera (not pictured) is located in North -West London (Picture: REX Features)
The speed camera (not pictured) is located in North -West London (Picture: REX Features)

Britain’s most profitable speed camera has been revealed – and it’s managed to haul in £1.5 million in just over six months – the same amount as a ‘successful medium sized business’.

The camera, which is suited on a stretch of the North Circular Road in Ealing, west London, was responsible for a third of all tickets issued in the capital, according to the Metropolitan Police.

It snared motorists who broke a temporary 30mph speed limit that was installed on the dual carriageway, despite most of the North Circular having a 40 or 50 mph speed limit.

The hefty haul was collected by the camera between April and October last year, when 14,544 drivers were slapped with fines of £100 – according to a freedom of information request by the Evening Standard.

MORE: Brown snake filmed swallowing python whole in Australia

MORE: David Walliams, Nick Grimshaw and Adele’s phone numbers all mysteriously showed up on this woman’s phone

Transport for London has since claimed that the temporary speed limit was put in place while work was undertaken to replace a local bridge – but motorists have hit back.

They say that the temporary speed limit on Gunnersbury Avenue was not properly signposted.

Hitting back at the fines, RAC Roads Policy Spokesman Nicholas Lyes told the Telegraph that motorists had fallen victim to a ‘poorly signed temporary 30mph limit’.

He said: ‘The RAC cautions that in cases where the normal speed limit is reduced temporarily for a reason such as roadworks then, to be fair and effective, that change and lower speed limit must be clearly signed and highlighted with additional warnings.

“Where a significant number of penalty tickets are being issued then that should automatically set off alarm bells and warrant investigation.’

But hitting back at the criticism, TfL’s head of strategy and outcome planning, Lilli Matson, said: ‘The limit on the A406 Gunnersbury Avenue has been reduced to 30mph from 40mph to ensure the safety of all road users and contractors. There is clear signage in the area to advise drivers of this.’