The Arrive Alive initiative was launched in 2001

An ex-policeman has hit out at his former colleagues in north Wales after he was fined for speeding in Flintshire.

Mervyn Jones was caught driving 42mph in what police claim is a 30mph zone.

But Mr Jones - a police officer for 30 years - said the only signs on the road in Northop were 60mph restriction notices.

"It is very unfair to prosecute me at a time when they concede the signs were incorrect," he said.

He was caught speeding as part of the forces' Arrive Alive initiative.

The scheme was launched in 2001 in response to government targets to bring about a 40% reduction in injuries on UK roads by 2010.

Mr Jones, who served as a detective and intelligence officer, claims he drove down a country lane onto the old A55 outside Northop and the only signs he passed were indicating the national speed of 60mph.

I have been told yes, it was wrong, but to put it right I will have to go through a court process that will cost thousands Mervyn Jones, ex police officer

He insists there were no 30mph restriction signs at the time of the incident in December - this has since been confirmed and new signs have been erected.

Mr Jones, from Mold, raised the matter with police and expected to receive his �60 fine back and have his penalty points removed from his licence.

However, North Wales Police took advice from the Crown Prosecution Service which said it was happy for the fine to stand.

The retired police officer said the system was not fair.

"I have been told it was wrong but, to put it right, I will have to go through a court process that will cost thousands," he said.

Mr Jones said there may be thousands of other motorists who have been wrongly convicted.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said that, by paying the fine, Mr Jones had admitted responsibility and he should seek legal advice if he was still unhappy.