A decision to target speeding drivers on a section of road where the limit has been cut because of work on the controversial Norwich Northern Distributor Road has been defended by police.

A temporary 30mph limit has been put in place on Cromer Road, near Norwich International Airport, ahead of work to pave the way for the 12.5 mile road.

But Norfolk Constabulary has been criticised for basing its safety camera van close to where that 30mph limit begins, with drivers accusing the force of cashing in on the temporary limit - a claim the police deny.

Norfolk County Council also came under fire for putting the temporary limits in place, even though no construction workers were on site.

One reader, who complained to the police and council, said: 'Speed cameras are only supposed to be deployed where there is a high accident record at a site, or where there may be danger to people, such a construction workers during road building. Well, how many accidents have suddenly occurred there? And there are no construction workers there yet.'

He said the camera van was there on Saturday, January 16, in the lay-by near the first 30mph sign, catching anybody who had not slowed down from 40mph to 30mph within a few yards of the sign.

'What a cynical money-making exercise', he said.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokeswoman said: 'We are aware of a complaint be a member of the public to which we have responded.

'The Safety Camera Vans are tasked with locations on which to enforce on a monthly basis. Where the vans enforce is prioritised on Police and Norfolk County Council Highways data.

'Although the first priority is always based on accident and collision data, we also prioritise according to community concerns, working with parish councils, speed watch teams and local policing teams.'

Norfolk County Council got permission for the £178.5m road, stretching from the A47 at Postwick to the A1067 Fakenham Road, last summer.

A spokesman said: 'Sorry if the 30mph limits seem premature, but areas of roadworks have high accident rates and there will be increasing amounts of activity.'

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