Road works or not?

[victormeldrew]

Over the last week or so I have noticed that a lot of motorway roadworks have had the cones pushed back onto the hard shoulder, e.g the M1 around Leicester Forest. All three lanes of the motorway are open, and the hard shoulder as well. The 40mph roundels remain, as do the speed camera signs. Judging by the fact that if you actually abide by the 40mph signs everyone goes past, including lorries after the mandatory intimidating tailgate and main beam routine, it would seem that the consensus is that the roadworks are "finished" and the 40mph limit doesn't apply.

I think a lot of folk will be getting un unwanted Christmas surprise in the mail.

Is this yet another sly dodge to trick people into speeding fines?