M4 Cameras ? Please comment authoritatively.

[cyrus1971]

I have read threads on many forums, some say it was a hoax to discourage, some say it’s real, some say the M4 sign boards contain cameras, some say it’s overhead vans only.

Please can someone comment authoritatively on the topic and where they are located. Has anyone actually been done by said cameras ?

Thanks,
Cyrus

[Plotloss]

I take you are referring to the hoax email about cameras in the Newbury gantries?

Utter cobblers.

[steve z]

There are no cameras in the gantry signs, there are no fixed cameras (unless there are roadworks), there are no average speed type cameras (SPECS).

What there are, are mobile scamera vans on overbridges between J17 (Chippenham) and J14 (Hungerford). Exact locations described here:-


www.safetycameraswiltshire.co.uk/approvedsites.asp

You also find on this stretch quite a lot of trafpol, who sit on their little perches on the side of the motorway using laser equipment. This method of enforcement always involves a reading followed by a chase to stop.

[puggit]

There are fixed cameras...

Jc3 - jc1 eastbound to London in the 60 and 40 limits...

Also a test camera westbound between 4a and 5 which is not issuing tickets.

[Plotloss]

I dont think theres even a camera between 4a and 5, just the lines.

Never seen it flash...

[steve z]

Plotloss said:

I dont think theres even a camera between 4a and 5, just the lines. Never seen it flash...

There isn't. Just lines that've been there for years.

[gopher]

There are fixed cameras between 39 and 40 and frequently a mobile on the bridge just prior(if going westbound) to j35

[Plotloss]

steve z said:

Plotloss said: I dont think theres even a camera between 4a and 5, just the lines. Never seen it flash... There isn't. Just lines that've been there for years.

Lines appeared eastbound in about October last year.

Funnily enough, rear enders on the increase on that section.

[deeps]

steve z said:

www.safetycameraswiltshire.co.uk/approvedsites.asp

Jesus that's a long list of mobile sites!

I've seen them at other areas than those listed too.

If you're leaving the motorway at Swindon or Chippenham, keep your eyes peeled as they prey on the dual carriageways too, sitting on the bridges or in lay-bys. Sickening sight, I see it every week!

[puggit]

steve z said:

Plotloss said: I dont think theres even a camera between 4a and 5, just the lines. Never seen it flash... There isn't. Just lines that've been there for years.

Switch your radar detector on

Agreed, it's never flashed. I've seen people going past at estimated 90mph at night

[711]

Plotloss said:

Lines appeared eastbound in about October last year. Funnily enough, rear enders on the increase on that section.

Yes, nice idea isn't it.

1. Paint road markings that increase accidents.
2. Use said accidents to justify camera (if no increase in accidents, use entirely unrelated incident instead, such as some poor sod leaping off a bridge.
3. "Here's one we made earlier" style camera installation.
4. Print money.

I'd be tempted to jump of a bridge myself, but it would lead to more cameras

[robbie_toys]

Do that run every day on M4, never has been a camera between 4a & 5, there's also markings between 6 & 5 which are a hangover from some roadworks done years ago, cause total chaos every morning as everyone seems to brake, ending up causing the traffic to grind to a halt. it's then stop go til junction 5 and no doubt responsible fro the bad smash there last Tuesday

[7db]

The bad smash there last Tuesday sounded from reports like possibly dangerous driving by a lorry driver - failed to brake and collected a car, trapping it under his nose and bouncing it off several other vehicles before squishing it on another lorry.

Does anyone have any facts to support the assertion that rear-enders have increased near the ghost lines under the second gantry between 4 and 5a westbound M4?

[puggit]

Robbie_toys - when you are heading East in to London between 5 and 4a check out the middle gantry above lanes 2 and 3 of the other carriageway. There's a gantry mounted Gatso in there poking its ugly head out.

There have certainly been a number of serious accidents on that stretch but IMHO they are almost all caused by merging traffic from the M25 a short distance before the camera (and all that I've seen have included a white van )

I suppose the powers that be would like to know if installing a camera there would cut accidents


As I posted above, it's not a ticket-issuing camera, it's some kind of test machine.

Edited to add - I personally have seen one rear-ender at this point, exactly under the gantry in the outside lane.

>> Edited by puggit on Tuesday 20th December 15:26