M4 South Wales - Camera to be removed
Discussion
Reading the BBC Regional news on Ceefax tonight and it seems that the Gatso situated on the M4 Westbound near Port Talbot (Just towards the end of the 50MPH stretch) is going to be removed.
It's being blamed, quite rightly, for causing tailbacks up to 5 miles long at peak times.
I've argued for years that if it was *supposed* to be for safety, it was sited in the wrong place.
For those of you that don't know the area, it's a elevated stretch of the M4 (2 lane + HS in the main) that passes above the town of Port Talbot. It's a very long, elongated series of gentle curves that normally would be a National.
The reasons it's a 50MPH is that the on slip road is too short to allow traffic entering the motorway to reach 'National' speeds and to reduce the effects of noise on neighbouring residential areas.
Trouble is, the camera is sited approx 1/4 mile AFTER the slip road and just where the gentle bends finally become straight and within site of the resumed National limit. Having travelled that stretch of road for many years and spoken to numerous other regular users, no one can ever remember an accident where the camera is - close to the slip road - yes there have been a few.
I know it's only one camera, but the longest journey begins with a single step - perhaps it's the start of a more enlightened policy.
Won't hold my breath waiting though/
BB
It's being blamed, quite rightly, for causing tailbacks up to 5 miles long at peak times.
I've argued for years that if it was *supposed* to be for safety, it was sited in the wrong place.
For those of you that don't know the area, it's a elevated stretch of the M4 (2 lane + HS in the main) that passes above the town of Port Talbot. It's a very long, elongated series of gentle curves that normally would be a National.
The reasons it's a 50MPH is that the on slip road is too short to allow traffic entering the motorway to reach 'National' speeds and to reduce the effects of noise on neighbouring residential areas.
Trouble is, the camera is sited approx 1/4 mile AFTER the slip road and just where the gentle bends finally become straight and within site of the resumed National limit. Having travelled that stretch of road for many years and spoken to numerous other regular users, no one can ever remember an accident where the camera is - close to the slip road - yes there have been a few.
I know it's only one camera, but the longest journey begins with a single step - perhaps it's the start of a more enlightened policy.
Won't hold my breath waiting though/
BB
Why is it being removed then? Is it because it just isn't safe? If it explicitly say that then, yes its the first step. If they try to dodge the ball by saying "Safetly has improved" or its "For the sake of letting the traffic move at peak traffic times", then its just excuses to resite it somewhere else...
Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff