Andy Burnham slapped with hefty fine and six points for speeding on the M62

Andy Burnham has been hit with a bill of almost £2,000 after he was caught doing 78mph on a section of motorway where the limit had been reduced to 40.

The mayor of Greater Manchester said he became distracted when realised the junction at which he usually exits the M62 had been closed and he had no idea the 'smart motorway' had reduced the limit to 40mph as he made his way home to Golborne in Wigan.

He accepted he was 'going too fast' during the incident on July 7 last year, however.

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Mr Burnham 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.

Andy Burnham at the Convention of the North in January (PA)

"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."

Court records show Mr Burnham's case was dealt with at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on March 14.

Appearing under his full name Andrew Murray Burnham, justices fined him £1,353 and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £541. He was also told to pay £90 court costs.

The total bill was £1,984. The mayor's licence was also endorsed with six penalty points.

Mr Burnham, 53, admitted a single speeding offence. The particulars of the charge say he 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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