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.

The yellow cameras have been commonplace on the M62 for the past four years after a series of motorway improvement projects.

In early 2008, a project installed a new car sharing lane between the M606 and the M62 at junction 26 at Chain Bar near Cleckheaton.

In early 2009 work began to install new concrete crash barriers between junction 22 at Rishworth Moor and 23 Outlane.

Later that year work on installing the concrete central reservations also began between Brighouse and Leeds and continued well into 2010.

Then in August 2010, the same project moved to between junction 23 and 25, and continued until mid-2011.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: “The safety of the road network is of paramount importance to the Highways Agency.

“Safety cameras are used to help minimise the risk faced by road workers – who are often working in difficult conditions next to live traffic – and for drivers passing through the works area.

“We would urge all drivers on the M62 and at any other road works site to drive within the clearly signed speed limit.

“Where cameras are installed at road works, the Highways Agency covers no more than the cost of the installation of the equipment and a contribution to administration costs.

“The police are responsible for enforcement.”

Another £150m scheme to install a congestion-busting managed motorway scheme between Brighouse and Leeds was given the green light last October and is due to start in the next few years.

The plan to open up the hard-shoulder to traffic and install overhead gantries means several more years of road works on the busy motorway.