MORE than 100 motorists allegedly caught speeding on the A66 could have their cases dropped.

The Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to continue pursuing the drivers through the courts after a judge threw out a test case this week.

More than 750 drivers were caught by a speed camera near the Long Newton junction, between Darlington and Middlesbrough, last April.

The alleged offences took place after the speed limit was lowered from 70mph to 50mph during roadworks.

While many motorists accepted a speeding ticket, more than 100 said they had done nothing wrong. They said the 50mph speed limit sign was positioned after the speed camera, meaning their tickets were invalid.

At Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, District Judge Martin Walker ruled that the first batch of 11 drivers, whose alleged speeding offences took place on April 7, last year, had no case to answer.

He was also critical of Cleveland Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for its handling of the case.

However, Gerry Wareham, Cleveland chief Crown prosecutor, said yesterday he was satisfied that the cases were properly brought.

He said: “The issue before the court was a factual one, as to whether the necessary speed restriction sign was displayed.

The officer, PC Karl Horowitz, from Cleveland Police safety camera unit, gave evidence that the sign was correctly placed the day before and the day after the date of the offences.”

Mr Wareham said the CPS would now consider its position regarding the motorists still a waiting trial.

In a further development, Cleveland Police yesterday admitted that it had received numerous complaints from drivers caught speeding on the stretch in April, last year.

However, the force denied it had ignored a problem with the signs. A spokesman said: “We were reassured both at the time, and subsequently, that the positioning of the signage was correct. If any genuine errors had been made they would be put right.”

Motorist Stewart Thompson, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, received a ticket for driving at 67mph past the junction on April 9, last year.

He believes his case, and the others awaiting trial, should now be thrown out.

He said: “I think there’s still no case to answer for the rest of us.”

A second batch of drivers caught by the speed camera are due to be tried next week.