But although the number of fines given out in the county is falling, the Government still raked in more than £3.4m from the county's drivers last year.

Road safety bosses today claimed the fall was evidence speed cameras were proving effective.

But critics say there has been no big change in the number of people killed or seriously injured.

And they are "appalled" that cash is going straight to the Government to be used on whatever they want.

In 2006/7 figures show 57,500 speed camera fines were given out – raking in £3.45m based on the normal £60 fine.

The partnership spent a total of £2.6m on identifying sites, enforcement, payments and administration and public relations.

But, in reality, the number of people caught speeding will be far higher.

In 2005/6 119,594 fixed penalty notices were handed out – but only just over half of those (66,023 – £3.9m worth) were actually paid.

A further 32,139 people went on a speed awareness courses, which cost £90 – raising a further £2.8m.

Another 5,911 tickets were cancelled for a number of reasons, including the fact drivers could not be traced or because vehicles were from abroad.

In addition, 13,789 people were taken to court because of failure to pay the fines or because of excessive speed.

A full breakdown for 2006/7 has not yet been made available. But anti-speed camera campaigners say they are disgusted that a change in the way road safety partnerships are funded means that cash can be used by the Government for whatever they want.

The Government now provides a grant to local highways authorities, with only a part of it used to fund road safety partnerships.

Last year Lancashire County Council received around £3m from central Government.

Claire Armstrong, of campaigners Safe Speed, said: "The overall figures are not coming down. When are they going to realise that speed cameras are not the answer?

"We are also appalled that very little of this money will go back into road safety."

In 1997 just 23,800 speeding tickets – around £1.4m worth – were handed out to speeders.

Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety has said accidents have dropped dramatically in areas where speed cameras are placed.

But there has been no dramatic drop in the number of accidents overall since the cameras were introduced.

John Davies, the partnership's project manger, said casualty rates have dropped recently.
He said: "I would hope the fall is because people are slowing down and realising that speed does cause accidents.

"What we have got to remember is cameras are one tool in the tool box in terms of road safety and we need to look at putting all the solutions together."

Last week the Evening Post revealed how the number of speed cameras – including fixed and mobile sites – in the county is around the 360 mark.