Speed cameras on M20 (Maids), do they work?
Discussion
Hi just like to say that I received email today from Highways Agency about M20 variable cameras and having read through the links, I can say that when the variable limits are on, the cameras are governed by the Highway Agency, but this will only be enforced at rush hour times and any fines will be paid into the Treasury. What it also said is that Kent police are also able to set the cameras to 70mph at there choosing and all those fines will be paid to Kent police. So considering the shortfall in the police funding and an estimated 100,000 cars using this stretch of road, this will no doubt make up that shortfall! Also in the link was a bit about public consultation, all 73 of them, and goes on to say those who were consulted were made up of Maidstone Borough, Tonbridge and Malling Council members and Kent police, not exactly 'public' members in my opinion!
the public consultation did go public, I for one responded...
In total 73 responses were received with 41 in favour of the scheme and 32 not in favour. In percentage terms, this represents 56% in support and 44% against. Those in favour include local government organisations:
Maidstone Borough Council; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council; Kent County Council (Kent Highways Services).
what a surprise!
The full report is here:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/M20_CM_...
it was criminal that the cameras went up and were funded without the consultation getting approval, obviously they knew it would...
In total 73 responses were received with 41 in favour of the scheme and 32 not in favour. In percentage terms, this represents 56% in support and 44% against. Those in favour include local government organisations:
Maidstone Borough Council; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council; Kent County Council (Kent Highways Services).
what a surprise!
The full report is here:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/M20_CM_...
it was criminal that the cameras went up and were funded without the consultation getting approval, obviously they knew it would...
Was willing to give these a shot, if they were going to help traffic, but the last two days have confirmed that they are simply being used as a cash cow.
Last night, 6pm, got on the M20 at the Kings Hill junction, mandatory 60mph which was fair enough because the traffic was quite heavy. One junction later and the speed limit dropped to 50mph, but the traffic was a little lighter. At the A229 turn off, where half the traffic disappears the limit was then dropped to 40mph. Just as the traffic got a lot more free flowing and everyone started thinking of speeding up slightly, everyone had to slam on their brakes!
Then, the past two mornings, London bound, at roughly 8.30am, the limit has been set to a mandatory 60mph, even though the traffic level could be set at moderate at best!
Last night, 6pm, got on the M20 at the Kings Hill junction, mandatory 60mph which was fair enough because the traffic was quite heavy. One junction later and the speed limit dropped to 50mph, but the traffic was a little lighter. At the A229 turn off, where half the traffic disappears the limit was then dropped to 40mph. Just as the traffic got a lot more free flowing and everyone started thinking of speeding up slightly, everyone had to slam on their brakes!
Then, the past two mornings, London bound, at roughly 8.30am, the limit has been set to a mandatory 60mph, even though the traffic level could be set at moderate at best!
C8PPO said:
So the majority who voted yes, also suggested the main reason was for lower carbon emissions and lower noise levels.Reducing accidents came quite a bit lower on the pie chart.Making motorways slower.Welcome to modern Britain!
I'm sure the stop, start, congested rubbish they have created, will boost those carbon levels and increase noise no
end.Are these people for real?
Quote from the site.
Benefits for you..........
Controlled Motorways have been successfully used on the M25 and have been shown to provide both safety and environmental benefits to road users:
Reduction of road traffic collisions.
Strange that, because when I've driven through them it's like running the bleeding gauntlet. People cut each other up even more, lorries bunch up even more, passing the left hookers and coming out unscathed the other side as they do their usual trick of just pulling out without looking, will no doubt do wonders for my underpant contents.....thanks for that, I feel much safer with that knowledge !!!
More reliable journey times and improved traffic flows.
So controlled bunching of traffic causing more traffic jams is supposed to improve flow
. Then slowing drivers when there's a clear road improves journey times.....wow the nut job who come up with that idea must be rather spechall I must say 
.
Reduced noise and harmful vehicle emissions.
So people move on top of a motorway then complain they can hear road noise....Jezzzus H f
king Christ give me strength..... how moronic do you have to be. Well lets just balls up a whole traffic system for a few hours a day so the complaining morons can eat their dinner in peace .
PLEASE FFS STOP THE fkING BULLst PLEASE ....sticking crap like this on a 6 mile stretch is NOT, I REPEAT NOT going to help save the bd planet.
These things are stuck there for ONE reason and ONE reason only. That is to make a few quid from drivers who've worked their butt off all day to feed their family, pay their mortgage and pay their tax. The tax money then pays these Dick Turpin tossers and his merry men to rob them blind.....OH joy of Joy.
I've had a stressful day
Benefits for you..........
Controlled Motorways have been successfully used on the M25 and have been shown to provide both safety and environmental benefits to road users:
Reduction of road traffic collisions.
Strange that, because when I've driven through them it's like running the bleeding gauntlet. People cut each other up even more, lorries bunch up even more, passing the left hookers and coming out unscathed the other side as they do their usual trick of just pulling out without looking, will no doubt do wonders for my underpant contents.....thanks for that, I feel much safer with that knowledge !!!
More reliable journey times and improved traffic flows.
So controlled bunching of traffic causing more traffic jams is supposed to improve flow
. Then slowing drivers when there's a clear road improves journey times.....wow the nut job who come up with that idea must be rather spechall I must say .Reduced noise and harmful vehicle emissions.
So people move on top of a motorway then complain they can hear road noise....Jezzzus H f
king Christ give me strength..... how moronic do you have to be. Well lets just balls up a whole traffic system for a few hours a day so the complaining morons can eat their dinner in peace .PLEASE FFS STOP THE f
kING BULLst PLEASE ....sticking crap like this on a 6 mile stretch is NOT, I REPEAT NOT going to help save the bd planet.These things are stuck there for ONE reason and ONE reason only. That is to make a few quid from drivers who've worked their butt off all day to feed their family, pay their mortgage and pay their tax. The tax money then pays these Dick Turpin tossers and his merry men to rob them blind.....OH joy of Joy.
I've had a stressful day
Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Thursday 2nd September 18:33
I was going to find this thread today and post the very same thing! For the last two weeks junction 7-6 has been 50mph where it is generally clear (always has been at 8.30-8.50ish when I've gone through), and then goes up to 60mph for j6-5. The irony is that the variable limits section ends at junction 5, and it is junction 4 where I always come up against traffic.
Southbound in the evening is just as bad. I leave work at 17.45-18.00, getting on at junction 3. Other than traffic around junction 3, up to 4 (where there are no variable limits), I generally get a nice clear run through, though I can guarantee that the limits will be on 50/60mph through junctions 4-7 despite the motorway being clear.
I've come to the conclusion now that they put them on everyday during "rush hour" whether the traffic is bad or not, because to only put them on when traffic is bad (which would amount to once or twice every fortnight) would be tantamount to admitting that they were a big waste of money in the first place!
Southbound in the evening is just as bad. I leave work at 17.45-18.00, getting on at junction 3. Other than traffic around junction 3, up to 4 (where there are no variable limits), I generally get a nice clear run through, though I can guarantee that the limits will be on 50/60mph through junctions 4-7 despite the motorway being clear.
I've come to the conclusion now that they put them on everyday during "rush hour" whether the traffic is bad or not, because to only put them on when traffic is bad (which would amount to once or twice every fortnight) would be tantamount to admitting that they were a big waste of money in the first place!
jammy_basturd said:
I've come to the conclusion now that they put them on everyday during "rush hour" whether the traffic is bad or not, because to only put them on when traffic is bad (which would amount to once or twice every fortnight) would be tantamount to admitting that they were a big waste of money in the first place!
I use the M25 regularly at various times and several months ago, they must have had an issue with the variable limits.Not a single one was lit (Have never seen this since they were first used) and it was THE best journey I remember on that motorway since they were introduced.Like you, I believe they switch on once an alarm clock goes off somewhere.Gassing Station | Kent & Essex | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff