Average speed cameras - Westway (A40/M40)

[mayfairw1]

Used the Westway for decades and saw the Average Speed Camera signage and lights go up a few years ago.
Just noticed for the first time (but it was dusk) that the cluster of spotlights pointing down at the Royal Oak on ramp were all lit up.

Checked again on the return but couldn't be sure if they were alight in the Paddington slip road off-ramp.

I thought they had been active from the outset (but I seem to have lived a charmed life it they were). There was a Sunday Times article saying how much revenue this stretch of road raised as well.

Does anyone know a) if the system is (and has always been) fully active or b) does the lighting up signify anything?

Alan

[Stig]

mayfairw1 said:

Used the Westway for decades and saw the Average Speed Camera signage and lights go up a few years ago.
Just noticed for the first time (but it was dusk) that the cluster of spotlights pointing down at the Royal Oak on ramp were all lit up.

Checked again on the return but couldn't be sure if they were alight in the Paddington slip road off-ramp.

I thought they had been active from the outset (but I seem to have lived a charmed life it they were). There was a Sunday Times article saying how much revenue this stretch of road raised as well.

Does anyone know a) if the system is (and has always been) fully active or b) does the lighting up signify anything?

Alan

The lights have been on for ages and the cameras active. I use it daily and can't fathom the amount of people who drive down it at way over the 40mph limit? Whether they get fined or not is unknown to me, but would rather not risk it. It makes for a very tedious journey out to past the Polish War memorial where it ends!

[anonymous-user]

I don't drive that far into town all that often, but its no surprise as its an ideal point to catch people. That coupled with the change in the speed limits (when did they do that?!?) makes it almost sleep-inducing now. Still better than the train. Just.

[AlexS_LDN]

I have just been on a Speed Awareness course thanks to these highly efficient Siemens units which don't flash... They also have embedded sensors which cannot be seen within the asphalt so don't be fooled by slowing down in the white box painted on the floor They are always on and they have been putting them on the North Circular Road as well. Just stick to the limit to avoid any aggro until it's NSL at Ruislip

[Mandat]

AlexS_LDN said:

I have just been on a Speed Awareness course thanks to these highly efficient Siemens units which don't flash... They also have embedded sensors which cannot be seen within the asphalt so don't be fooled by slowing down in the white box painted on the floor They are always on and they have been putting them on the North Circular Road as well. Just stick to the limit to avoid any aggro until it's NSL at Ruislip

Stick to the prevailing limit by all means, but I wish that more drivers would observe appropriate lane discipline, and moving over to the left if not overtaking.

I travel up & down the A40 on a near daily basis, and I very often get held up by those drivers who keep station alongside adjacent cars (whilst the road ahead of them is clear), thereby blocking the road for those behind who want to pass.

[CC07 PEU]

Does anybody know for sure whether average speed is measured on the raised section of the A40 (west to east) as shown in the map below? It's three lanes of open, quiet road and I often see vehicles flying along this section at way more than the 40mph limit. I'm wondering if they know something that I don't know...

[megaphone]

I have unconsciously gone over a few times, say 50 even 60 on the flyover, never had anything back.

If I'm concentrating I stick to the limit, yes it's tedious but going faster only gets you to the next traffic jam a little quicker.

[CC07 PEU]

megaphone said:

...yes it's tedious but going faster only gets you to the next traffic jam a little quicker.

Not if you're on a motorbike

[megaphone]

CC07 PEU said:

megaphone said:

...yes it's tedious but going faster only gets you to the next traffic jam a little quicker.

Not if you're on a motorbike

I'll be thinking of you this winter, especially when it's raining :-)