THE Government was yesterday accused of using speed cameras and police traps to milk motorists — after a record £87million was raked in from 1.5 million fines.

The bonanza — in just a year — means the number of tickets doled out has doubled under Labour.

Shadow police minister David Ruffley said: "Motorists have been treated as a cash cow and milked by a government desperate to fund a decade of high spending. No wonder cameras are so unpopular with the British motorist." The Government claims the blitz helped cut road deaths to under 3,000 last year — the lowest toll since records began in 1926.

But those nicked even include the boss of Britain's top speed camera firm. Tom Riall's outfit Serco oversees 5,000 Gatsos. He is due in court accused of doing 102mph on the A11.