More than 40 motorists have become the first to be caught breaking the new 70mph limit on the Sheppey Crossing – in just a week.

The average-speed cameras were installed nearly three months ago, but only operational from Tuesday, May 30.

By last Wednesday, police said 42 drivers had been snapped exceeding the limit.

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

The new equipment replaces a temporary 50mph limit which ended on March 21 and passes images and details of offending vehicles to police for processing.

The cameras are in the process of being handed over to the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership, which will then have responsibility for them.

When asked why it had taken so long to launch the new speed limit, a spokesman said: “The installation, calibration, testing and certification takes quite a time, and it’s vital that everything is absolutely correct before any enforcement takes place.”

A 50mph maximum was imposed on the bridge and its approaches in July 2015 following an inquest into the deaths of mother and son Deborah and Marshall Roberts. Despite this, the accident rate increased since introducing the lower limit.

There are plans to install variable message signs on the bridge, as well as a weather station to monitor wind and fog, and more CCTV coverage.

Once these are added, the bill is expected to hit around £2 million.