Andy Burnham was given a hefty fine and six points after he was caught speeding on the M62.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester was caught travelling at 78mph on a stretch of the motorway where the speed limit was reduced to 40mph. With his usual junction being closed, Mr Burnham said he did not realise the speed limit had been reduced.
After his appearance in court earlier this month, he has since spoken out about the charge as he accepts he was "going too fast" and accepted the court's decision.
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He told the Manchester Evening News: "On the night in question, I was travelling home on the M62 westbound in normal motorway conditions intending to come off at junction 10 for the M6. When I got close to the junction, it became clear that it had recently been closed and I had to re-route quickly back onto the main motorway.
"I was not aware of any variable speed limit in place on the smart motorway system at the time and only found out about it when the letter arrived in the post. If I had been aware, I would not have been travelling at that speed. That said, I acknowledge that, at 78mph, I was going too fast and accept the court’s decision."
According to court records, Andrew Murray Burnham appeared before Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on March 14 where he was given a £1,353 fine. He was also ordered to pay a £541 victim surcharge and £90 court costs, meaning the total cost came to £1,984.
The mayor was also given six penalty points on his licence. According to the charge, the 53-year-old was at the wheel of a five-door Vauxhall Insignia on the westbound carriageway of the M62 between junctions 11 and 12 travelling at 78mph at a time when a temporary 40mph speed limit was in force.
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