A46 motorists running risk

Drivers travelling through the A46 roadworks are risking their lives by failing to stop at red lights.

That is according to the Highways Agency and Nottinghamshire Police who are warning road-users travelling through the dualling improvement scheme, from Newark to Widmerpool, that jumping red lights at plant crossings endangers themselves and others.

The main construction work, which started last year, aims to improve safety and reduce congestion, and is expected to be completed in summer 2012.

During a three-week period last month there were 26 reports of drivers running through temporary red lights, which are along the route to allow access for construction traffic.

The senior project manager for the Highways Agency, Mr Geoff Bethel, said: “The number of incidents of people ignoring crossings and driving through red lights is extremely worrying.

“Traffic signals are in place for the safety of road users and our workforce and we ask drivers to respect that — safety is paramount for us.”

Chief Inspector Andy Charlton, head of roads policing for Nottinghamshire Police, warns that jumping red lights is punishable with a £60 fine and a three-point licence endorsement.