SPEED cameras put up to protect road workers on the M62 snared more than 11,000 motorists last year – thousands more than expected.

The 50mph average speed cameras on the M62 trapped more than 11 times more drivers in 2011 than the previous year.

Figures released by the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership have revealed the cameras detected 11,180 offences on the M62 in West Yorkshire last year.

Just 1,003 were detected during the whole of 2010.

In 2009 the figure was even lower at 734.

The numbers apply only to completed road work schemes as the partnership does not supply data on live schemes.

It is thought that new equipment has improved detection levels.

If all the motorists paid the £60 speeding fine, the total revenue generated for the government would be £670,800.

A spokesman for the AA said they were “very surprised” by the level of offences.

He said: “Generally we approve of average speed cameras as they give motorists more of a chance to slow down.

“Normally they tend to keep speeds down without prosecuting people and the number of offences detected is usually pretty low.”

The policy of installing average speed cameras at major highways projects was introduced after a number of road workers were killed on the motorways over the past few years.