THE controversial average speed cameras on the A127 are not working properly and have not caught a single driver since they were introduced last month.

Highway chiefs have been left with red faces after they were forced to admit the £1.2million averaging speed cameras are not working.

Essex County Council, who introduced the cameras, say the problem is being fixed and the cameras will be working as soon as possible.

The cameras were introduced between Nevendon and the Southend borough boundary, on January 15. The speed limit between the Dick Turpin pub and the borough boundary was cut from 70mph to 50mph.

Norman Hume, Essex county councillor responsible for highways and transportation, said: “I am very disappointed, not because I want to fine people, but because I want to say the cameras are up and running.

“I feel it is only fair to tell people we haven’t issued speeding notices. The reason being we didn’t have the required standard of evidence to do so.”

Neither Mr Hume nor Speed Check Services, the company which installed the cameras, would say exactly what the problem was.

But Mr Hume did say the cameras had reduced drivers speeds by 15mph in the 50 mph section, and 6mph in the 70mph section, in the last month.

He also said the number of drivers clocked for speeding, even though no ticket could be issued, was about 50.

Motorists expressed their anger and disbelief at the latest blunder and one even called for Norman Hume to resign.

Anthony Gower, 59, a cabbie from Acacia Drive, Thorpe Bay, said he couldn’t believe it when he heard the cameras weren’t operational.

He said: “It disgusts me. If he had any decency he’d resign.”

Colin Roberts, 47, of Lower Road, Hullbridge, travels on the A127 every day on his way to and from his workplace in Dunton.

He said: “I am quite astonished they didn’t check all this out before they spent £1.2m on it.

“People are driving so slowly, at 50mph even in the 70mph, because they’re petrified of getting caught. It’s slowing everything down and they’re not even working.”

Christine Gillingham, who lives off the A127 near the Dick Turpin pub, said: “People obviously think they’re working and they are keeping their speed down, but they do seem totally disorganised.

“I think there’s a real danger people will start speeding now, they’re going to try and then they’ll get caught.”