Hundreds of motorists have been slapped with fines for breaking a temporary speed limit on a major road in the South East of England.
Drivers using the A299 Thanet Way in Kent have been subject to a 50mph limit since September after Kent County Council raised "urgent" safety concerns over severe bumps caused by ground movement beneath the road.
While enforcement has increased, the council has now admitted to not having any plans to repair the damaged route.
Within 39 days of the 50mph limit being introduced, 1,648 motorists were caught exceeding the new limit, marking almost 300 a week. Four drivers were caught travelling at more than 90mph, including one at 99mph.
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Each offence carries a £100 fine, with reports warning that roughly £170,000 has been generated in little over a month through the temporary speed limit.
The council previously explained the "urgent safety measure" was due to the danger posed by areas of uneven road surface caused by the summer heatwaves.
A council spokesperson said in September: "We know this will be frustrating news to many people, and we apologise for the disruption this may cause. But people's safety must come first. These temporary speed limits are essential while we assess the damage.
"I would urge drivers to slow down and stay alert while driving through this stretch of the A299 - your caution helps to keep everyone safe."
The council admitted it has no plans to repair the road damage, which prompted the 50mph limit in the first place
| PAThe authority said it is continuing inspections and "exploring options", blaming the unstable London clay beneath the road for the delays.
The spokesperson added: "Due to the changing nature of the underlying ground conditions, we need to ensure a properly designed solution. We are exploring options to consider a range of engineering solutions."
Sir Roger Gale, MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, said he could understand why so many motorists were being caught out on a road they have driven at 70mph for decades.
He said: "If you take your mind off it for 30 seconds, I can see that people are being caught out - but that may be for their safety. But we have to get it sorted - and quickly."
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Drivers can be fined £100 for speeding | PAMeanwhile, former deputy cabinet member for highways, Dan Watkins, was more critical, warning that the lack of deadlines risked turning a temporary measure into a long-term restriction.
"We're no further, two months on, to understand what the solution could be and what the timeline of that solution might be," he said.
He warned that if the authority fails to set a deadline for when the first phase of the project is going to conclude, the project could "slip and slip".
Mr Watkins stated the 50mph limit could remain for "months or even years", adding: "If nothing's happened in two months, and there's not even a timeline for when the initial report may come forward, what's the hope they'll actually fix it in a reasonable timeframe?"
The speed limit was introduced in September as a result of summer heatwaves damaging the road
| GETTYOpposition councillors and local campaigners have also accused the council of using speed cameras as a substitute for repairs.
Thanet Liberal Democrats called the blanket restriction "insulting" and demanded urgent fixes to the worst-affected sections.
Police insisted enforcement is necessary, with Inspector David Crompton of Kent Police's roads policing unit urging drivers to follow the temporary speed limit.
He said: "The message is simple, respect the speed limit or face potential police action, including a fine, points on your licence or an appearance in court."