A road in Macclesfield has been named the worst in the UK for drivers jumping red lights.

A shock report revealed 2,552 drivers - about seven a day - were caught running red lights on the A523 Silk Road last year, more than anywhere else in the country.

The Silk Road, which runs from Bollington to south Macclesfield, has five sets of traffic lights.

Det Insp Steve Griffiths, from Cheshire Police, part of the roads policing arm of the Task Force Unit, said drivers are taking unnecessary risks and putting innocent road users in danger.

He said: “Any driver not complying with a red traffic light is putting innocent road users at risk.

“This data clearly shows that drivers tend to take the risk and run the red light despite putting themselves and other road users at serious risk and despite the likelihood of prosecution or fine.

“We will continue to educate and take action against those who drive dangerously on our roads.”

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The Silk Road figure was more than 800 higher than the second worst road, the A610 Nuthall Island in Nottingham, with 1,700 recorded offences, and more than 1,000 higher than the third, the A167 Durham Road in Gateshead, with 1,543.

Macclesfield East ward councillor and former traffic policeman Mick Warren said he was not surprised by the figures, but urged drivers not to take chances.

He said: “I see people go through red lights on the Silk Road all the time. Seven a day seems an underestimate.

“You see that many in an hour, and it’s dangerous, especially with the lights linked to pedestrian crossings.

“If you hit a toddler at 20 miles an hour you could kill them.”

Margaret Roylance, receptionist at Arighi Bianci on the road, said: “I am shocked at that number, that’s dangerous.”

According to Freedom of Information data obtained by the car insurance company esure from 33 UK police forces, 67,000 motorists were caught and given points for failing to stop at traffic lights last year. Macclesfield Central ward councillor Janet Jackson said: “The figures are a shock and it’s concerning people are not obeying the lights, which are there for a reason.”

The maximum fine for running a red light is £1,000 and three penalty points, but drivers often receive a Fixed Penalty Notice - a fine of £100, and three penalty points.