Teesside's Speeding Hotspot: The A689 Near Wynyard and Cleveland Police's Revenue from Fines...

A689 Near Wynyard on the Outskirts of Hartlepool has seen the most number of speeding fines

14,635 speeding fines were issued in the 2023/24 financial year according to a recent report from Cleveland Police, the vast majority of them being handed out to drivers in one specific location of Teesside...

28th Feb 2025

Speeding remains one of the most common driving offences in Teesside, and newly released figures from Cleveland Police shed light on just how significant the problem has become. According to a recent Freedom of Information request, its claimed a staggering 14,635 speeding fines were issued in the 2023/24 financial year.

Whilst speeding is said to be a problem across the region, one location, in particular, stands out: the A689 near Wynyard. This stretch of road is said to have recorded the highest number of speeding offences, making it the most active enforcement area for Cleveland Police’s mobile speed detection units.

The A689: A Speeding Hotspot

Almost all of the fines handed out were through the use of mobile speed cameras being used

The A689 is a major route connecting key areas in Teesside and County Durham. Running from Hartlepool to Bishop Auckland, it serves as an essential link for commuters, freight traffic, and visitors. The section near Wynyard, is a rapidly developing area with new housing and businesses, & is particularly busy, with high volumes of traffic recorded daily.

Despite what's claimed to be speed limits being clearly signposted, the road's long, straight sections may encourage some drivers to exceed the limit. Additionally, drivers commuting between Teesside and the A1(M) motorway often treat this stretch as an express route, leading to frequent speeding tickets being handed out to motorists..

Revenue from Speeding Fines

With 14,635 speeding fines issued in just one year, it’s clear that Cleveland Police are actively enforcing speed limits. Given that the standard Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for speeding is £100, this could mean potential revenue generator in excess of £1.4 million. However, fines are not always paid at the FPN rate—with some cases resulting in higher fines when contested in court, while others lead to driver awareness courses instead of financial penalties.

Is Speed Enforcement About Safety or Revenue?

Many motorists feel Cleveland Police is using the high traffic area as a revenue generator & not about reducing speed to 'save lives'

Cleveland Police insist that speed enforcement campaigns are about ensuring road safety, reducing accidents, and saving lives. However, the sheer volume of fines issued, particularly in one hotspot location, raises questions about whether this is more about revenue generation rather than public safety.

Critics argue that if safety was indeed the true priority for Cleveland Police, clearer road signage, traffic-calming measures, and better public awareness campaigns would be far more effective than a financial penalty system that many drivers view as a cash grab.

The A689 near Wynyard has become one of Teesside’s most notorious speeding hotspots, with thousands of drivers caught exceeding the limit. While speed enforcement is necessary for road safety, the significant revenue generated from fines raises important questions about the balance between safety and the financial gain for one of the countries most corrupt police forces. As speeding enforcement continues, drivers on Teesside should be aware of these high-risk areas and ensure they stay within the legal limits to avoid hefty fines.