Over 4,200 vehicles have been caught speeding since a controversial fixed speed camera was installed in West Cumbria.
The camera, on the A595 in Holmrook, was erected in November, and left hundreds of drivers questioning its calibration last month following a wave of drivers receiving fines after the Christmas period.
Cumbria Constabulary has since said the camera has caught a total of 4,260 vehicles speeding between November and January 8 alone – with some caught travelling up to speeds of 86mph through the village.
It comes after Cumbria Crack requested all information to date on the camera from the constabulary in January under the Freedom of Information Act.
Several drivers initially said they believed there was an issue with the camera’s accuracy, after multiple people reported receiving fines for travelling at the same speed of 38mph.
The constabulary said it has caught and fined people travelling at speeds including those between 35mph to 60mph, 64mph, 69mph, 70mph, 77mph, 80mph and a highest speed of 86mph.
Cumbria Crack requested a breakdown of people caught and fined at 38mph but Cumbria Constabulary have not provided this information as of yet.
But the constabulary said that no faults have been found in the camera or in its calibration.
It explained that the speed camera’s system continually self-tests and if a fault was detected with its system, the camera would stop functioning.
The constabulary said the camera has been calibrated once to date on November 4, but that the force does not hold the information on how the calibration was carried out.
It also said it does not hold any test or maintenance records.
But it added that the speed camera’s system has not recorded a need for any maintenance since its handover in November, as it has not detected any faults in its operation.
The constabulary added that the type of speed camera system being used in Holmrook was initially tested for approval by the Home Office and was fully tested pre-handover by the supplier.
While some speed cameras are able to capture other driving offences like mobile phone and seatbelt use, Holmrook’s speed camera only captures speeding offences.
Cumberland Council said surveys carried out in Holmrook last year recorded an average speed of 42mph in the 30mph zone, with 64 offences detected in 2024.
Multiple 30mph signs and slow signs on the road are in place throughout the village, but some drivers have called for better signage to indicate a speed camera is in the area.
