DRIVERS are speeding at up to 70mph at a Greenock crash blackspot despite a high profile safety camera van being used there.

Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership is asking drivers on Kilmacolm Road, to pay stick to the 30mph speed limit. The Safety Camera Partnership has been operating a highly visible safety camera enforcement van on the road since July 2011 and operators are concerned at the number of drivers who blatantly speed in both directions on the hill.

The camera unit was introduced as a result of consultation with Inverclyde Council roads engineers and local traffic management police. There were four injury crashes on this stretch of road during a three-year, two of them involving serious injuries.

Sergeant Ian Lawrie of Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership, said: “Despite frequent periods of enforcement, speeding is still seen to be a significant problem on this road. Speeds of more than 70mph have been recorded within the 30mph limit, which is totally unacceptable. We are not out to penalise motorists but we do want to deter drivers from speeding and thereby reduce crashes and casualties. As with all safety camera sites, there are warning signs in place to alert drivers to the presence of the camera van and to curtail their speed.”

Councillor Micahel McCormick, convener of Inverclyde Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee, said: "The camera van is a highly visible measure to encourage drivers to stick within the speed limit on a road where people have been seriously injured.

“Local residents have been concerned about the speed of vehicles through their community, particularly with the presence of so many schoolchildren in the vicinity, and I am disappointed that far too many motorists continue to risk travelling at excessive speed. I very much hope that the people doing this will take heed of the message to reduce their speed and help to avoid future accidents."