SIR,

I have just received a notice of intended prosecution from West Mercia Police.

Seems my speed exceeded 70mph on an empty dual carriageway. I was travelling to Ross and was picked up soon after leaving Wales.

The mobile speed camera was held by a police officer concealed by the parapet of the road bridge.

I am wondering if there are any of your readers who feel, as I do, that this sort of thing is not a good use of police time or a good way to engender support from the public in their difficult work?

I elected to apply for a 'speed awareness course', thus avoiding the points on my licence.

Only, when I went on line to book it, the webpage given in the police letter did not exist.

After tinkering about with the hyphens and full stops I tracked down their mistake and went online.

But I couldn't book up because the website I found only allowed you to book up a course in the next two weeks (and you are given four months to take the course).

So I telephoned the number given and 26 minutes later someone answered the phone.

Unfortunately the West Mercia force had omitted to send my details to the course provider. A very kind lady was persuaded to input all my details manually and at last I was booked up for my course.

I always try really hard to keep to 50mph on my return journey along the A40 Monmouth bypass.

I was one of many who campaigned for the speed limit and although the piffling little and few 50mph signs were and are a disappointment, I stick to 50mph.

If you ever want to 'see the rest of the world go by', travel at 50mph on our bypass.

But had I been doing 70mph or even 80mph, I would not have been picked up by a camera because there are none.

I had it in writing from Gwent Police that there is nowhere safe for them to install or hold a speed camera. So there can be no speed camera warning signs either.

In the years since we got our speed limit no-one has ever been prosecuted. Maybe Gwent Police should consult their colleagues in West Mercia.

Michael Mortimer

(Monmouth)