SPECS on A34 in Oxfordshire!

[Fat Audi 80]

Just a heads up to all of you that use the A34 in Oxfordshire. SPECS cameras have been installed on the southbound section immediately after you exit off the M40. The cameras are NOT the gantry type and are instead a pair of very small cameras one behind the other on a post at the side of the road. There are NO signs and although not live yet I understand that will become live very soon. (The first one is sited just after the second layby as you begin to head southbound from the M40 and the second is couple of hundred yards after the services. A total distance of approximately 2 miles...)

I have been reliably told that they have been intially set to 77mph.

Another fantastic contribution to road safety as whole :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Steve

[volvos70t5]

Any idea when they were installed/turned-on?

(edited because I jsut reread the post and it says that they are not yet live. Phew!)

>> Edited by volvos70t5 on Wednesday 6th July 16:37

[Fat Audi 80]

All I know is they are currently active but the Police are not prosecuting yet. This information was valid a couple weeks ago, and I have no information as to when they go live in term of sending out NIPs. I will reiterate that there are no signs and unless you are VERY eagle eyed and switched on you stand no chance of spotting them....

Cheers,

Steve

[havoc]

Are there any speed-camera signs on the road...or is that not a specific legal requirement, just the "best practice" that all the SCPs seem keen to ignore?

[Fat Audi 80]

I was told that they are not Scamera partnership cameras and therefore signs are not required.

This information was freely offered to my by a BiB that I was talking to.

[ledfoot]

I expect the signs will go up when the scameras go live, if it really is scameras.

[Peter Ward]

There used to be a Gatso just off the M40 but it disappeared some time ago. It's a shame, then, that the free flowing traffic (when conditions permit) that has been the norm since then will be brought to an end.

[parrot of doom]

[ledfoot]

Peter Ward said:

It's a shame, then, that the free flowing traffic (when conditions permit) that has been the norm since then will be brought to an end.

I have never seen the A34 free flowing near the M40.

When was this rare event ?

[Boosted LS1]

parrot of doom said:

It amazes me that the bib etc haven't managed to identify this bloke! I applaud his actions

Boosted.

[TripleS]

Coo, I was down there this morning. I sure hope the system is not active yet.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[streaky]

Are you certain these are SPECS? Are there IR illuminators with them? If not, then not SPECS. SPECS are mounted over the lanes to minimise paralax issues and ensure a clear view of registration plates, cameras at the roadside suffer adversely. Buzz elsewhere is that those you describe are trafcams. A photo would be useful - Streaky

[Peter Ward]

ledfoot said:

Peter Ward said: It's a shame, then, that the free flowing traffic (when conditions permit) that has been the norm since then will be brought to an end. I have never seen the A34 free flowing near the M40. When was this rare event ?

Try around 06:30. Works for me.

[echo]

Not being funny but are you SURE about this?

There is a trial site there where they test out ANPR systems etc so I would be VERY suprised if this is anything to do with enforcement.


>> Edited by echo on Thursday 7th July 09:59

[havoc]

We need photos...post above is very valid...if there are no IR spots either side, it's unlikely to be SPECS...but I have seen SPECS up near Manchester which were mounted on yellow poles off the hard-shoulder...am guessing the parralax issue isn't a big deal if you're averaging over a mile or so.

[Fat Audi 80]

I am only going on what the Bib told me in person. I am not an expert on Specs and no, they don't look like the ones on the A43 near Northampton, but I think are newer smaller ones.

If I go over there in the next couple of days I will take a photo for you all!

Cheers,

Steve

[phil4]

Went past at the weekend, and was a little cautious after this post.

There are indeed two sets, and a good distance interval between them.

Each set is two cameras, one directly on top of the other. The top one rounded (and slightly smaller)the bottom one square (if memory servces correctly). Not particularly large.

Doesn't look like the gantry type Specs I've seen on the M6 before. But then who knows what they're upto, with new models etc.

>> Edited by phil4 on Wednesday 13th July 15:01

[havoc]

Drove past yesterday, had a good look...and they look exactly like green-painted versions of the RAC trafficmaster cameras! Same box, same height of pole, just a different paint.

These are NOT SPECS, not unless the design has changed massively and they've hidden the IR spotlights.

So my advice, although take it ever-so-slightly cautiously, is that there is nothing to worry about.

[pgm]

Had this confirmed by a person in the know

there are definately no specs going in or in operation in that location

the cameras must be something else - traffic or pollution monitoring

[Gren]

These sound a bit like the ones on the A322 - several cameras at different heights on two pole with a fair distance in between. There's a thread on here about it.

These are apparently ANPR ones being tested and are not being used as scameras.