Mansfield and Ashfield motorists give mixed views on A38 speed camera dubbed 'England's most prolific'

The speed trap at the junction near Ashfield Fire Station has been dubbed the ‘most prolific in England’ due to the high volume of motorists it traps each month.

The notorious camera covers a stretch of road less than 100m long which sees the speed limit slashed from 50mph to 30mph.

But critics say the single 30mph sign on the busy road is not visible enough to make motorists aware of the drop in speed.

Paul Featherstone said: “I got caught doing 37mph. It is very difficult to become aware of the 30 mph stretch of road. It is just a mega money earning project.”

Chris Madden feels the camera is not about safety issues, saying “Is there anywhere else in the country where you have four speed limit changes in one mile?

“This has nothing to do with safety. If it was then there’d be a red light camera facing all directions of the crossroads, not just one.”

Driver Lee Collins felt better signage was needed.

“It needs to be 30mph, but there needs to be better signage and maybe road markings. if we really wanted it to be about child safety.”

Kathleen White added: “It is a really busy junction both with traffic, schoolchildren and pedestrians/cyclists. It really needs much better signage.”

The A38 reduces in speed from 70mph around East Midland Designer Outlet, before dropping to 50mph past available car and then further down to 30mph

Andrew Mcgaulley felt this is where the problem lays, saying: “It would be fine if the speed limit was changed further away from the junction and the signage for it was better. They could have 100 yard countdown signs and before the trees.”

But another driver felt the speed camera was justified and was the best way of keeping people safe.

“It is quite a busy and quick road anyway,” he said. “WIth the school and people on foot, the camera helps slow people down.

“It’s busy 24/7 and slowing down is the best way to be. I think it works as well as it can.

“There’s signs saying it's 30mph and they are big enough to see.

“It is pretty visible that it drops down to 30mph. It is a good way to slow people down and it's their own fault for not realising I guess.”

Shane Green was in agreement and felt the signage was up to scratch.

“It’s very clearly signed on both approaches, which are clear and straight,” he told Chad.

“It’s within a few hundred yards of one of the country's biggest secondary schools and a fire station.

“I hate the damn things, but this one is sensibly placed in my opinion. Pay attention to what you're doing when driving and you won't have a problem.”

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