Police have refused to share details over speeding tickets on a section of the M42 in the West Midlands where the speed limit has been cut to 50mph for HS2 works. Regular users of the motorway at Water Orton, not far from Birmingham Airport and where the M42 joins the M6, will be aware of the reduced speed limit at the section. The stretch has been cut to 50mph to slow traffic as major works to install a HS2 viaduct over the motorway are carried out.
We wanted to find out how many motorists had been punished for ignoring restrictions. But West Midlands Police refused to tell us, despite our request under the Freedom of Information Act. BirminghamLive understands that speeding tickets have been issued at this location to drivers exceeding the temporary 50mph limit.
Police chiefs pointed to health and safety reasons for refusing to disclose the information. They argued releasing details of speeding fines could result in motorists ignoring the restrictions, and undermine attempts to slow traffic at this section and keep workers and motorists safe.
The force told us in response to our request: "There is a recognised public interest in openness and accountability about speed enforcement. However, in the circumstances of this request, we consider that greater weight lies in avoiding prejudice to law enforcement functions. Because the request concerns one identified temporary roadworks location, even confirming or denying whether information is held would disclose information about the operational status or apparent functioning of the enforcement system there.
If motorists believe they can use this information to infer when enforcement is less likely to be active, some may be more likely to ignore the temporary speed limit. On a motorway section affected by roadworks, where narrowed carriageways and workers may all be present, that creates a real risk to safety. For this reason, the force considers that confirming or denying whether information is held would, or would be likely to, endanger the safety of road users and those working on or around that section of highway."
