What's with the M4 average speed zone between J10 & J11?

[LunarOne]

There's been a 50mph limit imposed on the M4 for some time, starting shortly before J10 and finishing shortly before J11. It's enforced by average speed cameras. I do this stretch daily in both directions, and have noticed that drivers joining at J10 towards J11 often ignore the average speed zone and zoom up to 70mph or faster.

Some vehicles will slow down for the zone as they approach J10 from J9, but others won't and dive off at J10. Others slow for the first pair of cameras, and then speed up again in the middle before slowing again towards where the lanes narrow. Some drivers (typically in Range Rovers and Audis) ignore the signs and cameras altogether and just blat through regardless.

I've also noticed that the exit slip roads along the zone are signposted at 40mph, and also claim to be enforced by average speed cameras. However I can see no SPECS type cameras on the slip roads, just the spherical type black ones mounted on poles. Almost nobody respects those 40 limits.

So what gives? Do other drivers know something I don't or are they just collecting hundreds of tickets? I'm starting to wonder if the average speed zone is really active at all. I can accept that some drivers don't give a toss about fines and points, but there are way too many blasting through for it to be just that. Does anyone have an explanation? I've searched the forums to find an answer, but come up empty.

Thanks!

[Busa mav]

When you join at j10 West bound, there isn’t a camera to first pick you up for a couple of miles

[Ross_T_Boss]

LunarOne said:

Almost nobody respects those 40 limits.

Every time I drive that stretch, I'm always behind someone doing 35mph, you must be lucky!

It is an odd layout, there is no enforcement on the slip roads, and if you're using them you'll miss entrance/exit cameras so can use that to your advantage if so inclined.

They seem to have been working on those slip roads for the best part of a year now, and it's the 3rd time in as many years that stretch had extensive roadworks, bit of a joke really.

[xjay1337]

Also my commute to work. Luckily I only do it once a week or so.

I tend to just daydream. It's annoying, and they seem to be going on for ages. Heading Eastbound is worse as they go on for twice the distance!

[LunarOne]

xjay1337 said:

Heading Eastbound is worse as they go on for twice the distance!

U'm are you sure we're talking about the same stretch? Heading Westbound is much worse!