SPECS on M5 junction 25?

[jam1et]

Just coming back home to Taunton southbound on M5 yesterday. On the last bridge southbound before the Taunton junction (25) there are 3 cameras, one over each lane. I didnt spot any previously and I didnt carry on past Taunton so I didnt see any more. I'm sure they were not there last time I drove down there. I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm if they're SPECs or not and if they're active?

Cheers

[streaky]

Sure they weren't TrafficMaster?

[jam1et]

I dont think so because there was one above each lane not just a single camera. And they were grey I think whereas I think all the traffic master ones are blue (correct me if I'm wrong).

[KITT]

I think traffic master are painting all their cameras green now so as to avoid the confusion between SPECs and their cameras. I very much doubt they were SPECs and more than likely to be traffic master ones that they haven't had a chance to paint green yet

>> Edited by KITT on Monday 28th June 10:06

[jam1et]

But do traffic master cameras usually have a camera above each lane?

[KITT]

jam1et said:

But do traffic master cameras usually have a camera above each lane?

Sometimes they do sometimes they don't. I think it depends on the amount of traffic they expect to get through a particular road section.

[Paul_Riordan]

I also saw the cameras you mentioned. The three cameras were attached to a van hidden behind the trees to the left of the bridge (I spotted the van on my way back northbound later, there was also a patrol car going over the bridge when I returned). I think they were ANPR but could have been speed cameras, although as there are no speed camera signs I don't believe speeding penalties would be enforceable.

[jam1et]

Ah, I see. Could well be traffic master then.

[juk]

Same thing on a few bridges on the M27.

Fingers X'd they're not SPECS

[supraman2954]

juk said:

Same thing on a few bridges on the M27. Fingers X'd they're not SPECS

If they are SPECs, I would have been done already!

[Peter Ward]

Paul_Riordan said:

I think they were ANPR but could have been speed cameras, although as there are no speed camera signs I don't believe speeding penalties would be enforceable.

Camera signs have no effect on whether the penalties are enforceable. As with the Spanish Inquisition, their greatest weapon is surprise.

[streaky]

jam1et said:

I'm just wondering if anyone can confirm if they're SPECs ...

SPECs would need more than one set of scameras, as it computes average speed between points.

It appears from Paul_Riordan's post (qv) that I was misled. Your original post didn't mention the presence of a van, nor that these were not permanent cameras. From your comment that, "I'm sure they were not there last time I drove down there." I assumed that you were referring to fixed cameras.

Paul_Riordan said:

I also saw the cameras you mentioned. The three cameras were attached to a van hidden behind the trees to the left of the bridge (I spotted the van on my way back northbound later, there was also a patrol car going over the bridge when I returned). I think they were ANPR but could have been speed cameras, although as there are no speed camera signs I don't believe speeding penalties would be enforceable.

Sorry, completely wrong! There was a speed limit in force, so evidence of speeding (eg. photographic) is highly likely to lead to an enforcable penalty of at least £60 and three points.

Streaky

[jam1et]

Just to prevent any confusion - The cameras I saw were fixed to the last bridge before junction 25 (Taunton) facing southbound traffic, one above each lane. They looked grey in colour although couldnt be 100% on that. I didnt spot any similar cameras on bridges prior this to this site and I didnt see any after because I pulled off at the junction just after that set of cemeras. It could be that it is the first set of a SPECS system and the second set is further down the motorway. Or it could just be a single set of traffic master cameras. I'll take a closer look in the next day or so and report!

[lbir2]

Dunno how accurate it is but the SPECs site has a list of allegedly the locations used in the UK and this location isnt one of them:

www.speedcheck.co.uk/map.htm

It only lists 6 others.

There are plenty of other nauseating "statistics" on there too.

[UK952]

I think the ones on the M27 are to control traffic flow from the slip roads - they appeared about the time the traffic lights appeared on the neighbouring slips. These slip roads also have similar cameras.
Tony

[gh0st]

I saw those.

It was a DVLA van.

Breathe a sigh or relief and chill (unless your tax disc was out of date )

[Mr2Mike]

Peter Ward said:

Camera signs have no effect on whether the penalties are enforceable. As with the Spanish Inquisition, their greatest weapon is surprise.

And fear! Their *two* greatest weapons are surprise and fear...and almost fanatical devotion to the speed camera.... etc..

[streaky]

Peter Ward said:

Paul_Riordan said: I think they were ANPR but could have been speed cameras, although as there are no speed camera signs I don't believe speeding penalties would be enforceable. Camera signs have no effect on whether the penalties are enforceable. As with the Spanish Inquisition, their greatest weapon is surprise.

I wasn't expecting that! - Streaky

[droopsnoot]

If there is only one camera, it couldn't have been SPECS as these measure speed by the time it takes you to get from one camera to the next one.

[minghis]

I saw 'em too - they were mounted on tripods so were definitely not fixed.