CONTROVERSIAL speed cameras are to be used at roadworks for the first time in Scotland in a bid to protect workers.

The Speed Enforcement Camera (Specs), which have cut speeding since being installed on the A77 in Ayrshire, will be put in place on the M74 next month.

Roads bosses Amey are taking the action to ensure workers are safe when maintenance work starts on the motorway at Raith Bridge beside Strathclyde Park in Lanarkshire.

Last year road worker Tony Garbutt, 38, was killed when a drunk driver smashed through cones and crushed him against a safety barrier on the M8, near Baillieston.

Andrew Usher, 28 was jailed for six years and banned from driving for 20 years for causing the death of the father-of-four.

Road works will start on the M74 Raith Bridge, south of Raith interchange on March 3, for 10 weeks costing £2.1million.

Drivers face long delays on the stretch of the M74, used by more than 70,000 vehicles a day, and on surrounding local roads as some traffic is diverted.

Essential maintenance to strengthen the bridge and resurface and waterproof the road will close lanes and slip roads close to Junction 5.

The speed limit on the road will be reduced to 40mph and monitored by the Specs cameras which record average speeds between the start and end of roadworks.

Since they were introduced last on the A77 July, only 49 drivers have been convicted of speeding.

Amey spokesman Jim Gilmour said: "Imagine trying to do your work and just yards away there are lorries and cars thundering past at 70mph, and all you have to protect you is traffic cones."

Motoring organisations welcomed the first use of the cameras at roadworks. Sue Nicholson, of the RAC, said: "The A77 experience shows Specs can be effective in reducing speeds, cutting congestion and improving journey times."

Neil Greig, of the AA, added: "Specs works round the clock and users of the M74 need to be aware workers and equipment still require protection even in the early hours of the morning."