A316 Chiswick to M3 safe zone cameras installed

[slk 32]

Just noticed that the installation of these has begun and the removal of the old Gatsos on Twickenham bridge / Old deer park have been removed.
Cameras are tiny and the whole route from Hogarth roundabout to the start of the M3 will become one big average speed zone.

[LemonParty]

Any idea when they might go live? I use this route daily - I had wondered what the white "l"shapes that had been painted on the roads were, now I see that they are the target area for the lights and cameras.

[slk 32]

Funnily enough I tweeted that question to TfL today and I'll update once I get some feedback

some googling threw up various press releases from TfL and Siemens which said go live in summer 2016. I'm hoping that they'll wait until all are installed but they could i suppose start now..i'm not sure the signage legality ( do they need to mention average speed zone or would the existing speed camera signs suffice?)

Further googling showed a lot of anger about the A40 Westway rollout and the fact TfL didn't do much to publicise it, apparently it is now bringing in over £100k a month in fines its making me quite cynical. Also the 316 does not seem to have a high accident rate.. i'm more given to think that TfL have measured the traffic flow and speed and seen a potential revenue opportunity.

Given that it is meant to extend from the start of the M3 to the Hogarth roundabout in Chiswick it's going to make the journey hellish. I also noticed today just how close some of the cameras are today , especially if these are paired.

[Blaster72]

Thanks for mentioning this, I live near Sunbury Cross and use this route into London all the time. Didn't have a clue this was happening.

I did notice the Gatso cameras had gone but didn't know why.

I'm not sure they'll make much money out of them though, the route is very congested and I only really see excessive speeding at night when its quiet. I do agree there are lots of accidents though but I'm not so sure speed is the main reason.

Maybe they're banking on the 3 different speed limits catching people out and boosting revenue? (30,40 an 50 mph limits).

Edited by Blaster72 on Monday 14th March 07:51

[slk 32]

Blaster72 said:

Thanks for mentioning this, I live near Sunbury Cross and use this route into London all the time. Didn't have a clue this was happening.

I did notice the Gatso cameras had gone but didn't know why.

I'm not sure they'll make much money out of them though, the route is very congested and I only really see excessive speeding at night when its quiet. I do agree there are lots of accidents though but I'm not so sure speed is the main reason.

I agree that during peak periods it can be quite congested (especially around the Hospital bridge roundabout ). Off peak traffic flows a lot freer , especially around the M3 end.

[pdavison]

I need to keep a look out for these as I travel this way everyday (Camberley direction to Hampton).

Only plus side is I may actually see the claimed fuel economy on my car with all these average speed areas!

[SVTRick]

Blaster72 said:

I do agree there are lots of accidents though but I'm not so sure speed is the main reason.

Because Dick Heads .....

[Niceguy1966]

Is there any reason the cameras aren't required to be bright yellow like other average speed cameras (E.g. The temporary speed cameras on the M3 near the M25 junction).

[SVTRick]

Niceguy1966 said:

Is there any reason the cameras aren't required to be bright yellow like other average speed cameras (E.g. The temporary speed cameras on the M3 near the M25 junction).

They are fitted with yellow housings, however due to angle and height you just don't see them so well.
Not that its difficult to spot them on heavy duty mounting masts and the array of bright LED lights
which provide an illuminated viewing window on the ashphalt.

In the words of the late Shaw Taylor "Keep Em Peeled"

[LemonParty]

So - the last set went in (I think) overnight last night. They're at the first bridge after you leave the M3 towards London / and vice versa.

• Some* average speed camera signs have gone up on the route, namely on Twickenham Bridge into Richmond.

I for one am starting to keep my speed down, just in case!!

[silverfoxcc]

Thank God for Cruise control

[Tellydj]

I use this route all the time. As of now I'm sticking firmly at 50/40 - loads pass me - but I just can't be bothered with the hassle of a fine/points. Plus yep I get better fuel economy.

It's massively congested during rush hour so probably won't be an issue then - but as has been said - during the early hours is when they'll become cash-cams.

[Blaster72]

I'm not sure they're on yet but I'm not risking it either.

The first few months will be ££££tastic for the operators wallet.

[slk 32]

The only feedback I've got from TfL is 'early summer' which mirrors their press release (s)

I've noticed cameras going up at the extremities now towards the M3 end and also after Chiswick Bridge before the Hogarth

I've also found a lot more people are sticking to the speed limit too (me included)

[expatbore]

Update 27th May...Just did a drive through....certainly one sign up on way out from Richmond, but then that's it in terms of warning. Plenty of cameras up, but interestingly, some of the junctions don't yet seem to be covered. I drove up to M3 then on to M25 and back via Chertsey and Walton. Jumped back on A316 at Feltham and I'm pretty certain that junction is free from cameras. Kept speed under control just in case. (M3 to M25 seems freer of speed control, so I'm told)....
Just FYI, not encouraging speeding, just good to know!

[DJT]

I see that in the M3 'smart motorway' section there are now brackets to the left of the new sign gantries. Like the new ones on the M20. Are these for when there is a reduced speed limit or permanent? Or they could just be for pigeons to sit on.



http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy108/mcdziubek...

[pdavison]

Update from today: Mobile sign London bound just as you go past Costco warning of average speed cameras.

I travel from junction 4 on the M3 each day and along the A316 ... all these average speed cameras are starting to make me re-think what car I should be driving (perhaps that's the idea!).

[Trikster]

Going southbound the signs are saying it's active from the 13 June on the A316 at Twickenham....

[slk 32]

Good old TfL

The Southbound sign says from the 13th the Northbound at the end of the M3 says cameras are active

Signage along the A316 is virtually non existent, there are signs for ANPR in use from the Met as well as LEZ camera signs but I've only seen two average speed camera signs along the entire length.

How many people drive the entire length? If I join at the Hospital Bridge roundabout there are no signs saying I'm entering an average speed zone nor are there any in front of the cameras. I would expect as a minimum signs on all major roads entering the A316 as well as before the cameras.

The fact there are none only reinforces the impression the primary purpose of the cameras is revenue raising- if that was not the case why not publicise more so that they can act as a deterrent?

[Blaster72]

It is without a doubt designed to raise money. 3 different speed limits + limited signage makes a good recipe for people to get caught out.

As said signs just after Sunbury Cross junction say system is active. Signs in opposite direction don't. Confusing.