A POLICE force has been accused of a “massive revenue exercise” after handing out nearly 15,000 speeding fines in the first two-and-a-half years of a £380m road upgrade scheme to motorists.

Highways bosses after being urged to lift part of the speed restrictions on the A1(M) between Leeming Bar and Barton after North Yorkshire Police issued 12,094 fixed penalty tickets in 2015 and 2016 to speeding drivers.

A further 2,717 drivers were caught exceeding the 50mph limit on the 12-mile stretch which is being upgraded to three lanes during the first five months of upgrade work, between August and December 2014.

It is believed a further 6,000 fines could be issued this year, after it emerged last month that the roadworks, which began in March 2014 and were due to end next month, were being delayed by another six months following numerous significant archaeological finds.

The force, which responded to a Freedom of Information request by The Northern Echo, said any fines paid for exceeding the 50mph limit went direct to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service.

But Brian Gregory, a Stockton-based director of the Alliance of British Drivers, said money had also been “siphoned off” as a result of fees motorists were paying to go on speed awareness courses – an alternative to receiving a conviction and penalty points.

These cost from £85 per person in North Yorkshire. Over the two-year timeframe, 6,492 people were offered and accepted speed awareness training after speeding through the roadworks, paying at least £551,820 between them.

Mr Gregory said: “It is just another massive revenue exercise.”

North Yorkshire Police said the highest speed recorded through the 50mph camera monitored section was 102mph, more than double the speed limit.

It also revealed that 1,602 motorists disputed tickets they received in 2015 and 2016 for exceeding the 50mph limit and ended up in court as a result.

Those caught speeding through the roadworks include Durham and England cricketer Ben Stokes, who drove through the roadworks at an average speed of 75mph, England rugby star Manu Tuilagi, former Sunderland striker Connor Wickham and Lady Melissa Percy, whose father the Duke of Northumberland owns Alnwick Castle.

The figures have been revealed days after the force announced it was doubling its number of mobile camera vans to 12, which have also been branded cash cows, despite the force insisting their purpose was to improve road safety.

Mr Gregory said: “The work on this scheme has been going on for months and it seems like another example of opportunistic revenue raising.

“There are two extremely wide lanes on both sides most of the way which have no roadworks on them at all.

“Words fail me. I am flabbergasted at the mendacity of these organisations who use road safety as a cover to generate revenue.

“We need an independent regulatory body to look at the speed camera partnerships operating these cameras and to set realistic speed limits.”

Catterick Bridge councillor and leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Carl Les, said the cameras should only be about safety, not making money.

The former Leeming Bar Services owner added: "I think most drivers understand the need for speed restrictions through roadworks, and the signs are very clear, including about the presence of average speed cameras.

"However, there is a growing frustration amongst people that the restrictions are still there, and the cameras, when there is little or no work going on beside the new motorway. I would urge Highways England to open up these sections as they appear to be complete."

A Highways England spokesman said it was expected the southern section of the scheme – which will increase capacity between Leeming and Catterick Central – would be opened in late summer.

Ross Smith, director of policy at the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said it was one of several important upgrades for the region that were long overdue.

He said: “The delay is frustrating, but understandable given the circumstances.

“We can accept an extra six months for something that genuinely couldn’t have been foreseen, but we will want to see efforts redoubled to ensure there are no further setbacks.”

The force said it was supporting Highways England in the detection and prosecution of drivers breaking the speed limit through the roadworks.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Road Safety is a key priority for North Yorkshire Police. More and more, the public are telling us that this is also a priority for them, and look to the police and other agencies to be more pro-active in our approach in tackling offenders of various traffic offences.

“Education is a key part of our approach to try and make sure drivers are more responsible on the road – and speed awareness courses are an effective way to do this. Speed awareness courses offer those individuals who are caught speeding, and who do not have a history of offending, the opportunity to be reminded of the dangers of speeding and the need to stay within the law.

“The money generated from the courses is used to fund more safety camera vans and equipment and enables us to tackle the issue of speeding and other offences head on. This is crucial in order to make our roads safer for our communities.”