The main reason is the increasing use of temporary and variable speed limits, which are enforced automatically by speed cameras.

 On busy stretches of the M4 — particularly between junctions 19 and 20 — speed limits often drop to 50mph or 60mph because of congestion, roadworks or safety concerns.

READ MORE: Police catch driver at 32mph in speeding operation

Several motorists have been taken to court after being recorded at speeds such as 67mph or 72mph, which many drivers still assume is acceptable on a motorway. In law, even a few miles per hour over a temporary limit can result in fines and penalty points.

A Swindon motorist was fined after being caught by an automated speed camera driving at 67mph on the M4, where a temporary 50mph limit was in place. 

Joseph Amenebede, 38, of Dydale Road, Taw Hill, was recorded travelling eastbound near junction 19 in September 2025, when he was caught breaking the speed limit.

 Amenebede avoided a driving disqualification and he was fined £230.

 He was also handed three penalty points and he was ordered to pay a surcharge of £92.

 In a separate case, a Wiltshire motorist was disqualified from driving for six months after being caught travelling at 67mph during a temporary 50mph restriction on a stretch of the M4 between junctions 18 and 19.

 Fernando Rodrigues, 56, of Gloucester Road, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to exceeding a variable speed limit at Bath Law Courts on January 13.

 Magistrates also imposed a £320 fine alongside the driving ban.

 Confusion has been made worse by concerns over faulty speed camera systems. In early 2026, it emerged that some National Highways cameras on the M4 may have been enforcing limits before signs had fully updated, leading to thousands of potentially incorrect fines dating back several years.

The Department for Transport ordered an independent review, with some drivers now in line for refunds or points being removed.

 There has also been wider public debate about whether drivers spot the signage clearly enough — especially at night or in heavy traffic — and whether enforcement feels disproportionate when motorists are travelling close to motorway speeds rather than racing.

Authorities maintain that variable speed cameras are essential for traffic flow and safety, but the volume of prosecutions suggests many drivers still underestimate how closely these limits are monitored.

There were steam days across the Easter weekend, giving visitors the chance to ride the trains at the heritage centre next to Didcot Parkway rail station.

The next steam days take place on Saturday, April 18 and Saturday, April 25.

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A spokesman for the centre said: “Steam trains will be operating on at least one of the centre’s two demonstration lines, allowing you to take unlimited rides.

“On many steam days, the second line will be running too and may feature a pioneering diesel railcar, a heritage diesel locomotive or a small branch line steam engine.”

Other attractions at the 21-acre centre include a museum, a cafe, a shop and an engine shed.

Jenny Lange was among the visitors during the Easter weekend.

Her retro outfit included a coat by Mary Magdalene, a hat by Jane Marple, and a bag by ‘Baby, the Stars Shine Bright’.

The compartment she travelled in was No 7372, built in 1948, which was part of the royal train used by the Queen Mother in the 1960s.

Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the centre, has been taking photos of visitors with the steam trains.

David Green, head of innovation, and Clara Saliba, AI and data insights analyst at the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation, were recognised in Computing magazine’s AI Leadership Index.

The list features individuals who are helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence in a responsible and sustainable way.

Dominic Hare, chief executive of Blenheim Palace, said: “We are all extremely proud that not one but two of the outstanding individuals in the country in the field of AI are people at Blenheim Palace.

“I don’t think anyone who works with these individuals is in the least bit surprised by this recognition.

“I feel very lucky here every day to work with an extraordinary group of people; along with the support team which includes Tawhid Sharior, they are without a doubt the finest AI team in the country.”

The index highlights individuals who not only advance AI, but also influence how it is built, deployed and governed.

Mr Green was praised for directing AI and automation initiatives that have transformed operations at the heritage site.

The magazine noted that his approach ‘balances cutting-edge technology with heritage conservation’ and demonstrates ‘that AI can enhance rather than replace the human expertise needed to care for irreplaceable historic buildings and landscapes’.

Ms Saliba was recognised for her work applying both modern AI and classical machine learning, from analysing visitor surveys to detecting ticket fraud and developing predictive maintenance models for the estate.