How to challenge a variable speed limit summons

[Markv8v]

I have just received a speeding notice from the Police, apparently I was caught doing 70 mph when the gantry signs were flashing 60mph.
This happened at Coleshill M6 toll where it joins M42 camera van on bridge!

How can I prove what speedthe gantry signs were flashing as I am always very careful.

How do I ask for photo proof of me and speed limit?

All advise welcomed I have had a clean licence for over15 years
.

Regards

Marl

[schmunk]

Sorry, I can't help myself...

Markv8v said:

I am always very careful.

Regards

Marl

[Markv8v]

Ha ha very useful

I was recorded at 71 on a motorway which is normally 70 from my understanding!!!!!!!!

The question is how to prove the variable limit was activated?

Mark

[rewc]

Markv8v said:

Ha ha very useful

I was recorded at 71 on a motorway which is normally 70 from my understanding!!!!!!!!

The question is how to prove the variable limit was activated?

Mark

If you decline the FPN and opt for court then as part of the evidence I would expect the prosecution to come up with evidence that the limit was set and was being displayed at the time of the offence.

[speedking31]

I am surprised that camera vans operate on stretches of motorway controlled by variable limits, because unless they have a link to the gantry system they wouldn't know what limit was in force at any particular time. Are you sure it wasn't a reduced but fixed limit for roadworks or the like?

[_dobbo_]

speedking31 said:

I am surprised that camera vans operate on stretches of motorway controlled by variable limits, because unless they have a link to the gantry system they wouldn't know what limit was in force at any particular time. Are you sure it wasn't a reduced but fixed limit for roadworks or the like?

Unlikely to have been a van - most of the variable speed limit sections have fixed gantry cameras on the other side of the speed limit warning.

[speedking31]

OP said:

... camera van on bridge!

[V8Dom]

ask for the photo

i asked for mine before accepting the fixed penalty

dom

[speedking31]

How will that help? It won't show the speed limit in force at that time. (Unless there is a link between gantry system and camera operation?)

[andburg]

I'd expect that the system would have logs to show what speed is diplayed and when on the boards, whether that proves the board was lit up when you went under it is another question

[covboy]

speedking31 said:

How will that help? It won't show the speed limit in force at that time. (Unless there is a link between gantry system and camera operation?)

I think they are supposed to keep records of the times the limits were enforced (they would perhaps need these for the normal gantry cameras to be enforceable). Although in this case I also find it difficult to understand how a camera van could be used

[speedking31]

andburg said:

I'd expect that the system would have logs to show what speed is diplayed and when on the boards, whether that proves the board was lit up when you went under it is another question

... and synchronised clocks?

[andburg]

although a possibility it I'd expect them to be pretty close between the devices. would depend on how long the board had been lit really.

You could have gone through at 70 when the borad was off, got stuck behind traffic at 55 for a minte and then gone round so they have to give some allowance for this on fixed cameras but possibly not on mobile

[Hodge4ever]

covboy said:

I think they are supposed to keep records of the times the limits were enforced (they would perhaps need these for the normal gantry cameras to be enforceable). Although in this case I also find it difficult to understand how a camera van could be used

You can use whatdotheyknow to find the limits in place around the time/location you need e.g.
'Dear Highways Agency,

Please could you provide me with the variable speed limit for the
following location; <location> i.e. M42/M6 TOLL, JCT 9 -8, MP 41/4 SB, on
<Date> at <time>

Yours faithfully,

xXxXx'
I've had to use it once before and the reply was pretty prompt, just not what I wanted to hear

I am also curious why they needed a camera van as well as the gantry system

NB: Yes top lurking etc...

[covboy]

At the risk of appearing to be a nerd ! and because I’d nothing better to do. At the location the OP is talking about there is only possibly a couple of bridges that can be used and neither show up as (regular) mobile camera locations on the one website I’ve looked at.

[mehball]

Pay up. You will lose.

[blueg33]

mehball said:

Pay up. You will lose.

Even if you are in the right

[anonymous-user]

Hodge4ever said:

You can use whatdotheyknow to find the limits in place around the time/location you need e.g.
'Dear Highways Agency,

Please could you provide me with the variable speed limit for the
following location; <location> i.e. M42/M6 TOLL, JCT 9 -8, MP 41/4 SB, on
<Date> at <time>

Yours faithfully,

xXxXx'
I've had to use it once before and the reply was pretty prompt, just not what I wanted to hear

I am also curious why they needed a camera van as well as the gantry system

NB: Yes top lurking etc...

Why just not contact the HA direct and ask for the logs, you should then get a printout out of the time every signal was set and the speed it displayed.

Just think how much taxpayer's money will be wasted providing the info for you