40mph roadworks on M4 / M5 nr Bristol

[J500ANT]

Anyone know why the powers that be decree that the widening roadworks on the M4 and M5 either side of Bristol are set to 40mph? Why are these more dangerous than any other set of roadworks?

TIA
Tony

[gh0st]

I have been through these a few times recently.

They are usually less populated by workman than any other roadworks that I have seen and while I was doing 40mph, I was being overtaken by EVERYTHING - EVEN LORRIES!!!!

Rediculously low speed limit. Bet they put laser vans there more often than not

[beermatt]

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Police Sergeant Mel Small, of the Safety Camera Partnership, said: “These are major works on what is a very busy stretch of road with a contra flow in operation.

“It was felt sensible to introduce a 40mph limit, instead of the normal 50mph restriction imposed at motorway road works, to reduce the risk of accidents.

[8Pack]

Agree! I've driven very busy German (2 lane autobahn) contraflow systems with NARROWED lanes with a 50 mph (80 kph) limit!............ They're taking the P*ss aint they? .......Installing lots of cameras I suppose!

It's all very well, but at that speed, the back log is going to be MORE dangerous as traffic slows and bunches up to 40 mph, than the works area itself is. GRRrrr! :shakes head: I despair!

[_dobbo_]

Hmmm... Mel Small of the Scumera Partnershit really should have said:

"If we make it a 40 limit we are much more likely to rake in cash as the drivers think it's a 50 like every other set of motorway road works. CHA CHING!!"

[pdV6]

I've not driven that stretch in rush hour, but the last few times I've done it, the nearest thing I've seen to "work" was a parked up digger...

As for "widening" - are they putting in an extra lane? If not, why bother at all?

[philthy]

gh0st said:

They are usually less populated by workman than any other roadworks that I have seen and while I was doing 40mph, I was being overtaken by EVERYTHING - EVEN LORRIES!!!!

Say hi next time ghost

Phil

[tim.tonal]

M6 - Thelwall new viaduct - 40mph limit and specs cameras due to workman physically separated on old viaduct being strengthened. Increased congestion on approaches due to normal motorway traffic being slowed to 40 and many accidents within the limit mainly due to 3 lanes of traffic all forced to do the same speed.

Takes ages to change lane, for instance to leave the motorway - all this time taking eyes off the road in front to check mirrors, blind spot, etc.

[chim666]

Be careful in these roadworks, particularly at night. The cameras, whilst painted yellow as required, do not show up well in headlights - and the one on the west-bound carriageway (immediately before the slip road from J18 joins the motorway), is partially hidden by a roadworks sign!

[autismuk]

They are currently building a roundabout on the A11 Dual Carriageway at Norwich.

There is a 30mph speed limit all the way back to the outskirts of Norwich (about a mile), and signs up saying "Safety limit" or something like that, and the carriageways (both ways, including leading away from the roadworks) are cut from 2 to 1. There is work on about 50 yards of carriageway at one end.

The mad thing is it leads into a 40mph limit on a single carriageway road with footpaths, houses, and lots of estates.

On the DC there is absolutely *nothing* except one filter in about a mile down.

It is the scamera thugs favourite spot, needless to say.

The limit is utterly pointless.