Speed cameras on M20 (Maids), do they work?
Discussion
I saw flashes last night also, on the opposite carriage way.
Another question.
Around maidstone and on the A249 Detling Hill they have put up speed camera signs saying:
Checking Speed
Wearing Seat Belt
Using Mobile Phone
What is this all about.
Also the A249 has the same bullet camera's that are on the M20 through this section. What do they do?
D
Another question.
Around maidstone and on the A249 Detling Hill they have put up speed camera signs saying:
Checking Speed
Wearing Seat Belt
Using Mobile Phone
What is this all about.
Also the A249 has the same bullet camera's that are on the M20 through this section. What do they do?
D
DamienCBR said:
I saw flashes last night also, on the opposite carriage way.
Another question.
Around maidstone and on the A249 Detling Hill they have put up speed camera signs saying:
Checking Speed
Wearing Seat Belt
Using Mobile Phone
What is this all about.
Also the A249 has the same bullet camera's that are on the M20 through this section. What do they do?
D
The mobile cash converter scameras are now looking for bonus points by getting you on filum if you are using mobile phone incorrectly, not wearing seat belts or being in possesion of an offensive wife.....you've been warned.Another question.
Around maidstone and on the A249 Detling Hill they have put up speed camera signs saying:
Checking Speed
Wearing Seat Belt
Using Mobile Phone
What is this all about.
Also the A249 has the same bullet camera's that are on the M20 through this section. What do they do?
D
When the speed limits are lit up they are advisory as someone has said already, they are normally lit up in relation to how busy that stretch of motorway is at certain times of day ie. rush hour etc.....
The cameras are the variable limit type and I believe are active now, I saw someone get flashed twice by the last coastbound camera just before junction 7 on saturday morning at about 7:30am, I'm not sure if there active 24-7..... If they are then I'm screwed as I went through them late friday night doing more than enough to send me back to the future!!
If I get a ticket then I'll post it on here and you can take it that the cameras active!
The cameras are the variable limit type and I believe are active now, I saw someone get flashed twice by the last coastbound camera just before junction 7 on saturday morning at about 7:30am, I'm not sure if there active 24-7..... If they are then I'm screwed as I went through them late friday night doing more than enough to send me back to the future!!
If I get a ticket then I'll post it on here and you can take it that the cameras active!
Same here ! I think that they are set at 96mph just like the M25 ones used to be, but I don't know if they are live for issuing tickets, I just hope they're not. The cameras at the Blackwall tunnel were up for ages before they put the signs up saying that they were under test only. I think that this was because the 30mph limit if rigidly enforced there causes even more traffic and accidents!
I e-mailed the Highways Agency about how they can put up the cameras etc which aren't even legal yet. A change in speed limit on a Motorway needs approval.
The response was:
"Although the results of the consultation have not yet been published and the Statutory Instrument permitting the introduction of variable speed limits is not yet in place, this is a traffic management scheme which has already received wide support from local stakeholders such as Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council and others.
Whilst there is still some way to go before we receive final Ministerial approval for the variable speed limits, given the support already in place for the scheme and the benefits it will provide, we consider it appropriate to continue with the technical preparations for the scheme such as the flash testing. At a later stage, we will also be testing the Advanced Motorway Indicators which signify the enforcement of variable speed limits when these are in place."
My understanding of road law is that when there is a red ring around the speed displayed, the speed limit is enforceable by a fine etc.
When the lights are just flashing it is an advisory speed limit and you can be charged with dangerous driving if you cause an incident.
The response was:
"Although the results of the consultation have not yet been published and the Statutory Instrument permitting the introduction of variable speed limits is not yet in place, this is a traffic management scheme which has already received wide support from local stakeholders such as Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council and others.
Whilst there is still some way to go before we receive final Ministerial approval for the variable speed limits, given the support already in place for the scheme and the benefits it will provide, we consider it appropriate to continue with the technical preparations for the scheme such as the flash testing. At a later stage, we will also be testing the Advanced Motorway Indicators which signify the enforcement of variable speed limits when these are in place."
My understanding of road law is that when there is a red ring around the speed displayed, the speed limit is enforceable by a fine etc.
When the lights are just flashing it is an advisory speed limit and you can be charged with dangerous driving if you cause an incident.
The cameras are definately not live yet, yes they are flash testing, but they are not enforceable.....yet. Until the overhead gantries are showing a Red Circle with the variable speed limit within it, they are simply advisory. I too dropped an email to the Highways Agency, who bounced me to somebody else who then finally answered the same as the early reply. I think there could be a disagreement somewhere, dispite what the official line is, after all these have been available for use for nearly 2 years now....something is clearly not right :-)
As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
Edited by mylogin on Tuesday 27th October 15:28
mylogin said:
The cameras are definately not live yet, yes they are flash testing, but they are not enforceable.....yet. Until the overhead gantries are showing a Red Circle with the variable speed limit within it, they are simply advisory. I too dropped an email to the Highways Agency, who bounced me to somebody else who then finally answered the same as the early reply. I think there could be a disagreement somewhere, dispite what the official line is, after all these have been available for use for nearly 2 years now....something is clearly not right :-)
As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
A Borough Councillor I know claimed (off the record) that one of the County Councillors lives near the M20 and wanted the noise reduced in her garden.As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
Edited by mylogin on Tuesday 27th October 15:28
A deal was done for that Councillors support on some other committee in exchange for the scamera. It has nothing to do with road safety or relieving congestion and for once it’s not even the money as a first priority.
Uncle Fester said:
mylogin said:
The cameras are definately not live yet, yes they are flash testing, but they are not enforceable.....yet. Until the overhead gantries are showing a Red Circle with the variable speed limit within it, they are simply advisory. I too dropped an email to the Highways Agency, who bounced me to somebody else who then finally answered the same as the early reply. I think there could be a disagreement somewhere, dispite what the official line is, after all these have been available for use for nearly 2 years now....something is clearly not right :-)
As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
A Borough Councillor I know claimed (off the record) that one of the County Councillors lives near the M20 and wanted the noise reduced in her garden.As somebody who lives in Maidstone, I can't see the logic in where they have placed the cameras, there are rarely holds-up due to congestion between jct 5-8. Sure, bring them forward to Jct 3-5, which is a 3 lane stretch and always busy during rush-hour, there I can see reason, but not throughout a four lane stretch of motorway that is hardly busy. Cash generator...never!
Edited by mylogin on Tuesday 27th October 15:28
A deal was done for that Councillors support on some other committee in exchange for the scamera. It has nothing to do with road safety or relieving congestion and for once it’s not even the money as a first priority.
Has anyone tested noise levels now and taken a list of readings, for say 2 weeks and then again when the limits at 50 are bought in? I think there won't be much in it.
Following the Highways Agency's reply to my initial email, I asked them to confirm what timeframe they were looking to make the scameras live, the reply came as follows:-
<quote>
M20 Junction 4 to 7 Controlled Motorways
Thank you for your email of 27 October 2009 regarding the above.
Unfortunately we are still working on the installation of the Controlled Motorway System between junctions 4 and 7, currently we are waiting for confirmation for when the system will go live.
Please be assured that the variable speed limit will not be enforced until the variable speed limit and camera signs are installed and the red roundels are displayed on the gantry signals.
I can confirm that there will be publicity following the completion of the Controlled Motorway System.
I trust this fully answers your query. Should you have any further questions please contact me.
Kind regards
<end quote>
So there you have it :-) As for the councillor, that was a new one on me....got a name by any chance! ;-)
<quote>
M20 Junction 4 to 7 Controlled Motorways
Thank you for your email of 27 October 2009 regarding the above.
Unfortunately we are still working on the installation of the Controlled Motorway System between junctions 4 and 7, currently we are waiting for confirmation for when the system will go live.
Please be assured that the variable speed limit will not be enforced until the variable speed limit and camera signs are installed and the red roundels are displayed on the gantry signals.
I can confirm that there will be publicity following the completion of the Controlled Motorway System.
I trust this fully answers your query. Should you have any further questions please contact me.
Kind regards
<end quote>
So there you have it :-) As for the councillor, that was a new one on me....got a name by any chance! ;-)
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Roo said:
Report in toadys Kent Messenger that only 73 people expressed an opinion about these on the Highways Agency website of whom 41 thought they were a good idea.
Looks like they'll be going live soon then.
Whats the bet all 41 people in favour of live next to the m20??? Looks like they'll be going live soon then.
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