A417 - M5 to M4 Via Birdlip

[smp]

Just a quick advance warning for anyone heading down this way this afternoon :

The local Mobile Piggy Banks are out in force - both directions in a number of places.

Thanks to the black Honda Accord for advance warning approaching Blunsdon. Anyone on here ?

Careful out there boys and girls.

SMP

>> Edited by smp on Friday 22 July 13:48

[Mutant Rat]

Yeah, they are there regularly. Take care on this road, whenever you use it, folks!

[deva link]

It's a sad fact that if you see any decent road which looks like it would be good (and safe) for a speed in excess of the speed limit, then there's every chance there will be some form of speed camera there too.

[buckshee]

The police have regularly used this stretch for speed-trapping from well before the days it became a dual carriageway. The police from Cirencester have bugger-all else to do in their patch except catching speeding motorists on a very quiet and safe road.

[PetrolTed]

Mmm... was around there myself last week...

Didn't see any plod though.

[mustard]

Lots of laybys & sideroads for them to lurk in once your on the dual carriage way on top of the hill, and its a good fast road so good money spinner!

[chim666]

I saw one last Thursday lunchtime parked in a layby on the A417 at the bottom of a very long straight hill with a large white truck parked behind it - and I saw no warning signs before the layby.
The white truck made the scamera van very nearly invisible from a distance.
According to their own working guidelines, the van should be positioned where it can clearly be seen, and warning signs erected. The only signs were the ones on the van itself.
Would you have a good arguement if anyone were to receive a ticket if 'caught' by a van which was not working in accordance with the Safety Camera Partnership's guidelines?

>> Edited by chim666 on Tuesday 2nd August 14:21

[pgm]

thanks - regularly use this one but not seen any vans on it as yet but that has surprised me given the nature of the road

did 160 units on this once

[timtonal]

It would appear that guidelines are just that - guidelines. The partnerships put these forward to make them seem more acceptible to the public, but regularly flout them.

For instance they are supposed to publish all the camera locations on the web - do they heckers like!

[chim666]

I have to retract some of my previous post.
I drove along the A417 yesterday evening and there is a 'camera' sign about 1/2 mile before the layby. That's the trouble when you know the road very well, you don't notice road signs (why should you....you know where you're going [waits for 'gone' to say something about that last statement ! )
N.E.Way, watch out along this road - it's so straight that they can get you before you spot the van.

[dirkgently]

chim666 said:

N.E.Way, watch out along this road - it's so straight that they can get you before you spot the van.

Often wondered about this. How can they make an assessment of speed from a distance, especially if you are approaching head on? Or do they just ping you anyway

[havoc]

dirkgently said:

Or do they just ping you anyway

Congratulations, you win todays star prize of a brown envelope and 3 points...all you have to do is sign your name and send us £60!

[G Man]

Yes the old Thamesdown Speed partnerships are in on the act aswell.
There is a regular scamera van just after the A417-A420 junction south to the M4 motorway on the bridge

At the bottom of Blunsdon hill North of Swindon

On the bridge at Cricklade is another favorite spot.

Beware a friend of mine got a NIP for doing 80 mph on the dual carriageway so the torrerances are non existent.

G Man