MOTORISTS are turning bridge repair works on Teesside into a danger zone.

Despairing works managers have had to call in the police as drivers defy a 30mph speed limit introduced while work continues on the A66 Surtees Bridge, on the edge of Stockton.

Cleveland Police pledge motorists caught speeding will be prosecuted.

The Highways Agency has tried a variety of signs to first remind motorists of the speed limit and then shock them into reducing speed by flashing up the registration numbers of offending vehicles.

An average of 55,000 vehicles a day cross the bridge which is being replaced in a 70-week, 14.3m project.

While many motorists slow down to negotiate the carriageways over the bridge, narrowed by cones, a hardcore of drivers are still thumbing their noses at the speed limit.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "The safety of both drivers and our workers are of paramount importance during these works.

"We have tried to persuade drivers to adhere to the reduced speed limit over the bridge, but sadly a hardcore seems to be ignoring this.

"We welcome the police enforcement measures and hope that it will result in drivers crossing Surtees Bridge at the required mandatory speed limit of 30mph. "

At the back of the agency's mind are the deaths of five road workers in separate incidents at roadworks across Britain last year. A dozen others were seriously injured.

Blue police notices inform motorists approaching Surtees Bridge that they are approaching a speed check area.

A police spokeswoman said: "There have been so many motorists who have ignored the speed limit that we are making the limit more obvious. It is to protect road workers and fellow motorists. It is there for a reason and motorists found to be speeding will be prosecuted.''