A MOTORIST from Croxley Green has spent the past two weeks nervously checking his letterbox after an overtaking cyclist triggered a 30mph speed camera.

Stuart Gurney, 54, was driving to work at approximately 7.30am on Friday, October 26, when says he noticed a cyclist in his mirror approaching fast.

But as the duo approached the camera near the bottom of Scots Hill, Mr Gurney says he was travelling under the speed limit and believes that as the cyclist closed the gap, his speed triggered the GATSO camera.

He says he was so shocked he followed the cyclist to ask who had triggered the camera and was even more so when the rider boasted it was not the first time he had done it.

Mr Gurney, who has been driving for 37 years and has never had any points on his licence, said: "When the camera flashed I couldn’t believe it, I thought I was only doing 28mph.

"I managed to catch up with him, pulled him over and politely asked the cyclist, 'Excuse me, that camera didn't flash on behalf of me I hope’, he replied ‘No it was me it flashed for’.

"He was dressed like a racing cyclist but I can’t believe someone is going round as fast as possible trying to set speed cameras off.

"He could have slipped on some oil or if I'd had to brake suddenly he would end up coming over my car bonnet."

Mr Gurney, of New Road, has since been in touch with Three Rivers District Council and has contacted the non-emergency police number but was told little can be done unless he receives a ticket.

He said: "This should not be allowed to happen, this could have caused an accident.

"Bradley Wiggins' crash just goes to show that even the very best cyclists are vulnerable, I was once a cyclist myself so I know to look out for them but it is a huge risk cycling like that.

"We have got to think where the law stands on things like this.

"I am not the guilty party but could be the subject of a penalty due to being in the camera at the time.

"Speed cameras are there for a reason but cyclists can just get away with it."

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We are unable to comment on particular instances. However, photographic evidence taken from GATSO safety cameras is always checked before a Notice of Intended Prosecution is issued. "An assessment of the speed of all vehicles in the photos is made and notices will not be issued where there is no evidence of a vehicle travelling over the speed limit. "If a motorist believes they have been incorrectly issued with a notice then there is also an option to challenge it in court."