The 10mph speed limit warning sign at Ryde Pier.
WIGHTLINK is to launch a crackdown on car drivers after nabbing more than 1,000 Ryde Pier speeders on CCTV in the first three weeks.
The pier, restored at a cost of £5 million, no longer has speed humps and average speed cameras caught one motorist speeding at 44mph in the 10mph limit.
The ferry company has so far slapped warning notices on cars and called some shamefaced drivers to the ticket office over the public address system but promises it will get tough if motorists refuse to slow down.
"In the first three weeks we had 1,023 people speeding at 15mph or more when the limit is 10mph, as it always has been," said Wightlink marketing manager Kerry Jackson.
"Most are hurrying to catch a ferry or to meet people but the worst 44mph offender was travelling the other way.
"We are taking the approach of warning people as they get used to the newly boarded pier and the cameras but we do have powers under the pier by-law and we will have to use them in the interests of safety if people refuse to slow down."
A meeting of Ryde Town Council was told by Cllr David Knowles on Monday 50 people had been given £80 speeding tickets. He said the limit should be raised from the 10mph 'crawl’.
But Mrs Jackson said after the meeting: "We have not yet issued any tickets and the 10mph limit is there for very good safety reasons — in addition to the cars travelling in both directions, there are pedestrians and people with buggies. Cyclists are also breaking the speed limit, perhaps encouraged because there are no longer big gaps between the boards.
"The speed humps were removed because braking, going over them and accelerating does cause damage to the pier. Now we do appeal for everyone to take care.
"We don’t want to have to take firmer action but we do have the power to impose a lifetime ban from the pier as the ultimate deterrent."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk