MORE than 230 people were caught by new average speed cameras every single day for a fortnight, it has been revealed.

In total, 3,236 vehicles were caught passing the new cameras at speed in two weeks.

Six of the cameras have been installed on the dual carriageway to support the new permanent 50mph speed limit, with three positioned on the southbound carriageway between the Blackwater Junction and Cooper Dean Roundabout and three mirroring these on the northbound carriageway.

Although advance warnings were given that the cameras were going live on May 31, thousands of speeding drivers have so far been caught.

The council and police have released figures for motorists caught between June 4 and 18.

The fastest driver was clocked at 98 miles per hour.

As reported, police allege a white van man was arrested after being caught doing 94mph on the Spur Road before performing a series of dangerous manoeuvres earlier this month.

The traffic officers allegedly followed the van for more than two miles at speeds above 90mph.

As they entered the A338 roadworks towards Bournemouth – which had a 40mph limit in place – the driver continued, failing to lower his speed below the 90mph mark, it was claimed.

A 31-year-old man was due to appear in court charged with driving at excess speed, tailgating and driving without due care and attention. Officers also conducted a drugs swipe on the man, which they said indicated the use of cocaine and cannabis.

Brian Austin, operations manager for road safety at Dorset Police, said: “Between June 4 and 18, 3,236 vehicles were recorded by the new average speed cameras exceeding the 50mph limit.

“This number includes exempt emergency services on blue lights.

“The highest percentage of speeding drivers was recorded between 6pm and 12pm and the fasted speed recorded was 98mph.

“Depending on a variety of factors such as speed and previous offences, fines generated will go to central government or towards local road safety improvement schemes.’’ Gary Powell, the senior responsible officer for the A338 improvements, said:“The average speed cameras were installed earlier in the year as part of the A338 and Blackwater Junction improvement works which are on schedule for completion at the end of the month. We hope that the figures released by Dorset Police will encourage drivers to abide by the limit, which is in place to ensure the safety of road users on this busy section of carriageway.’’ Some of the cameras were initially used to clock drivers going over the temporary 40mph speed limit on the southbound carriageway between Blackwater and Cooper Dean until the limit was revised upwards again.

Mr Powell said the cameras were installed to make the Blackwater slip roads “easier and safer to use” as they will encourage motorists to travel at a “consistent speed”.

“They will also help improve the flow of traffic,” he said.

Nine months of work on the A338 are due to be completed within days.

Motorists battled daily tailbacks on the main route into Bournemouth while the project around Blackwater junction was carried out.