More than 300 motorists have been caught breaking the 70mph limit on the Sheppey Crossing since cameras were installed.

The average-speed cameras, switched on in May, have snapped 334 drivers exceeding the limit, with that figure likely to be even higher as it only covers up to July 13.

The equipment was put in place in March, as part of a £350,000 scheme after Highways England completed a 17-month safety review of the bridge.

It replaced a temporary 50mph limit that ended on March 21.

A lower maximum speed was imposed on the bridge and its approaches in July 2015, following an inquest into the death of mother and son Deborah and Marshall Roberts.

Despite this, the accident rate increased.

Speaking about the latest figures, provided by police on request from Minster Parish Council, Ken Ingleton, chairman, said they did not come as a shock.

“I’m not surprised at the figures, judging from the speed some of the traffic goes over the crossing,” he said.

“At the moment, I don’t think people are fully aware the cameras are working – not until the letter drops on their doormat.

“But, hopefully, the publicity that others have been prosecuted will focus their mind to moderating their speed.”

Cllr Ingleton said it would be difficult to stop people speeding as the design of the bridge was “totally wrong”.

“That being said the cameras will, hopefully, go towards moderating the speed once people are fully aware they are live and people are being prosecuted,” he added.

“I think a reduced speed limit of 60mph would help.

“I feel 70mph is still a very high speed on that bridge section but I’ve heard some people have been clocked doing more than 90mph and that’s quite serious when you look at the stopping distance required and the visibility.”

A spokesman for the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, which manages the cameras, said about 30,000 vehicles use the crossing per day.

He said: “These low offence numbers should be viewed in the context of the very high number of vehicles flowing over the crossing every day, and are typical of the sort of very high compliance rates experienced in other average-speed systems.”

Those caught will either do speed awareness courses, have points added to their licence or a fine.