A POLICE check near a popular park blighted by speeding drivers has caught over 50 offenders in just 90 minutes, with one driver caught at more than twice the legal limit.

Speed checks were carried out on Thursday on Park Vale Road, next to Middlesbrough’s Albert Park, in an area where many families access the park.

The checks were carried out after a traffic survey by the local authority, which showed that 85 per cent of vehicles using the road during the survey were travelling at 38mph or less, with almost 200 vehicles in any 24-hour period travelling at over 45mph.

Thursday’s speed checks saw 53 drivers speeding in total, with 18 travelling in excess of 40mph; the highest of which reaching 63mph and another travelling at 57mph.

Those people are now likely to receive a large fine and potentially a driving disqualification in court.

Acting Inspector Harry Simpson, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “The results we found on Park Vale Road were disappointing.

“Speed is one of the main factors in serious or fatal road traffic collisions yet some drivers were travelling at excessive speed, very close to an area where children are playing and could suddenly run into the road.

“We stopped and spoke to drivers to get the message across to them that speeding has more consequences than just points and a fine. Limits are put in place for a reason.”