Done on Cat & Fiddle

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nightflight

Original Poster:

812 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Just dropped through the postbox this morning. Apparently been done by "unmanned camera" on the Cat & Fiddle. It was at Wildboarclough and speed was supposedly 63MPH. This must be by one of the average speed cameras, and despite having my cruise control set at 50 on all the non twisty bits. Is it worth contesting, and just how accurate are the cameras. I know they weren't able to use them for ages as they had positioned one of them on the wrong side of another road the joining the A54. Any thoughts?

Ki3r

7,806 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Could it be the non twisty bits that put you over the speed limit?

Ms Demeanor

769 posts

174 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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I'm an odd defence lawyer....if you admit the speed alleged take the ticket.

If you admit the speed but still take it to court you will face a battle and the risk of whacking court costs and higher fines if you lose.

You will probably need to employ an expensive expert in average speed cameras to stand a chance of defeating the CPS - who will bring their own expert if you take one...

In cross examination the first question will be "Do you admit doing more than 50?" If your answer is "yes", "maybe", "dunno" your stuffed. CPS sit down "Guilty!"

So if you admit doing the speed take the ticket - unless you are willing to lie on oath.. lots of people do.

However if you deny the speed alleged...and you are really up for a fight.... and fully appreciate what that might entail I will watch with interest.spin

nightflight

Original Poster:

812 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
It looks like the downhill stretch towards Buxton. In a car with cruise control on, I had considered doing the trip in my Caterham, but this was in my wifes Audi A3 diesel, that's why I was wondering about the accuracy of these things. I can imagine the CPS would be very difficult to fight, so I'll probably have to cave in to them. Does seem a bit unjust though.
Does anybody know what happens if one asks for the actual time and distance between the two points?

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Isn't it the Buxton end where you can take a short-cut that still sets the cameras off?

Ms Demeanor

769 posts

174 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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nightflight said:
It looks like the downhill stretch towards Buxton. In a car with cruise control on, I had considered doing the trip in my Caterham, but this was in my wifes Audi A3 diesel, that's why I was wondering about the accuracy of these things. I can imagine the CPS would be very difficult to fight, so I'll probably have to cave in to them. Does seem a bit unjust though.
Does anybody know what happens if one asks for the actual time and distance between the two points?
You are not entitled to any form of detailed disclosure until you reject the ticket - take it to court - plead not guilty and the case is listed for trial. Then you have a right to see their evidence - but if you buckle at that stage you get whacked...!



Rouleur

7,015 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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nightflight said:
It was at Wildboarclough
nightflight said:
It looks like the downhill stretch towards Buxton.
Which was it? The Cat & Fiddle doesn't go through or near Wildboarclough, and Wildboarclough isn't on the Buxton side of the summit.

If you're even thinking about contesting this you'll have to get your story straight!

Rouleur

7,015 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Hooli said:
Isn't it the Buxton end where you can take a short-cut that still sets the cameras off?
Macclesfield end

nightflight

Original Poster:

812 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
The letter says A537/A54 near Wildboarclough, >> Buxton
Rouleur said:
Which was it? The Cat & Fiddle doesn't go through or near Wildboarclough, and Wildboarclough isn't on the Buxton side of the summit.

If you're even thinking about contesting this you'll have to get your story straight!

Rouleur

7,015 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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nightflight said:
The letter says A537/A54 near Wildboarclough, >> Buxton
That's a strange way to put it, but it kind of makes sense.

caziques

2,567 posts

167 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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As usual, ask for a photo to assist with identifying the driver - nothing to lose.

nightflight

Original Poster:

812 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
caziques said:
As usual, ask for a photo to assist with identifying the driver - nothing to lose.
The letter is on the way

GC8

19,910 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Have we established then, that this cant have been caused by the OP taking one of the short cuts - which work in both directions, and are at the Macc end of the pass?

63mph average suggests that you were going quite quickly, but its difficult to comment further without knowing between which cameras you were caught.

nightflight

Original Poster:

812 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
GC8 said:
Have we established then, that this cant have been caused by the OP taking one of the short cuts - which work in both directions, and are at the Macc end of the pass?

63mph average suggests that you were going quite quickly, but its difficult to comment further without knowing between which cameras you were caught.
I've not worked out yet which cameras they were, but the point is we weren't going quickly at all. I know about the cameras, and had the cruise control on most of the time. My friend lives over that way, so he's going to go and have a look to see if we can work it out.

GC8

19,910 posts

189 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
nightflight said:
I've not worked out yet which cameras they were, but the point is we weren't going quickly at all.
This was my point - hence my asking about shortcuts. On a twisty road an average of 63mph equates to some determined driving.

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

247 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Rouleur said:
That's a strange way to put it, but it kind of makes sense.
Thats the Buxton end then, so no shortcuts, 63 average would be mighty impressive but you could done that on the straight bit just after the pub very easily.

MC Bodge

21,552 posts

174 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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It sounds a bit odd. If it is an average speed camera, then that is likely to be zone along the straight bit near the top.

Is it possible that 2 cars a fairly short distance apart with very similar registration numbers could be mistaken for the same car by the cameras?

Terisis

131 posts

157 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Rouleur said:
nightflight said:
The letter says A537/A54 near Wildboarclough, >> Buxton
That's a strange way to put it, but it kind of makes sense.
So you were caught near the junction with the Congleton Road. The A54 runs above Wildboarclough.

saaby93

32,038 posts

177 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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saaby93 said:
Ideal place for a 50limt when NSL was nothing to do with any of the accidents that happened, but a nice open stretches equal profits.