Can anyone confirm the truth of this M25 speed camera email?

[Effortless]

Hi all,

just wondering if anyone can confirm or deny the veracity of the email below... received this morning via my work email.

Not sure if it's true or is just another random viral email...


"While we do not condone or support speeding, the following information will help you understand a possible change in driving habits on the M25 over the coming months.

There has been a great deal of speculation and misinformation regarding the permanent cameras on the M25 situated on the gantries over the years, the cameras have always been in place and a number of them also flash (observable from the opposite carriageways), no one has been prosecuted, so a lot of people have become rather blasé.

I was fortunate to have diner the with the Chief Engineer who is responsible for the southern section of the M25 including the Dartford Crossing, he informed me that everything was about the change.

The Dartford crossing cameras are now live, these cameras can be found clockwise and anticlockwise across the bridge and the final mile or so leading up to the bridge/tunnel.

Cameras around junct 10 - 15 will be going live over the coming month

Cameras between 8-10 will also go live in the next quarter.

There has never been any agreement in place between the Highways Agency, the local authorities and the Police, thus the Police have not been able to prosecute. There were different rules in place for the temporary average speed cameras, so prosecutions were always possible. He wasn't aware of dates and sections on the northern section of the M25 but he said to assume that this area will follow suit around the same periods.

On a more positive note, the method for charging at the Dartford Crossing will change in 2014, there will no longer be any barriers and pay booths. There will be number plate recognition cameras which will bill your address or an account or you can pay in advance through an App."

Any views??

Cheers,
Effortless.

[J B L]

I thought they were only 'live' when there was a reduced speed displayed.

As for the Dartford toll, how are they going to charge foreigner registered plates?

[blueheron]

Surely the HA would be the first place to ask, not an internet forum.

Give them a call?

[Grey Ghost]

The average speed cameras on both sides to the crossing approach have been showing as "LIVE" now for a few months. Given that most traffic now appears to follow the 60, 50 and 30 mph guidelines where signed I guess a few fines have been handed out so far and word has got out.

Also, since the recent widening work in the area was completed there are several new gantries across the carriageways with speed camera marks on the road surface but no camers fitted to the gantries.........I wonder how long before these appear and the whole area aound the crossing is subject to management by variable speed limit?

Follow the posted limits would be my advise.

[nathanjfox]

Hi

I'm new here and have got myself worried after seeing this email. Has anyone had an updates on this?

I remember seeing in December a news article that basically said that noone was being caught on the J10-15 stretch of the M25 but travelling up to Heathrow last night I got flashed by one of these.

40mph limit; can only have been doing maximum of 50mph (probably less as when I looked down my speedo read 47)!

Anyone know if anyone has been caught in 2013 on these? I'm so annoyed as I'm always so careful through these gantries to make sure I don't get flashed! But speeding is speeding; just annoyed that there isn't some sort of threshold on these cameras (if I do get a ticket).

I've also read about 'dummy flashes' potentially on these cameras. I only think I saw one flash (not two!) so perhaps this was a slow down flash rather than a ticket! (here's hoping)

Any words appreciated.

[Geekman]

Think I've posted this in a few of these threads now, but I've been flashed several times and have heard nothing. I travel the M25 twice a week and have done for quite a while and have never got a ticket.

[KungFuPanda]

Given the dreadful spelling mistakes and poor grammar, I call bullst.

[Triumph Man]

nathanjfox said:

Any words appreciated.

Here are some words. nitwit oddment blubber tweak.

You're welcome.

[robinessex]

When the (original) cameras along the west section went digital, the rumour was they would be set to 79mph when the variable speed sign were off, so I sit with the speedo at 80mph. Have had cars pass me, never seen any cameras flash though. Along the north section, I'm sure I've seen cars at +100mph go past the cameras there, never seen any go off either. I have heard of cars being caught at the Dartford crossing though. I once got nicked going through the tunnel, got fined, but can't plonk points on your license because it's technically not a public highway so I was told.

[nathanjfox]

Triumph Man said:

Here are some words. nitwit oddment blubber tweak.

You're welcome.

I did ask for that

[Timbola]

The use of language, grammar and spelling in the email is piss-poor.

I call shenanigans.

[Humpy D]

The cameras coming up to the tunnel i.e. Kent into Essex are definitely working as a colleague received a fine recently for doing 53 in a 50 limit.

From about junction 2 the limit is 60 and then goes down to 50 about half a mile from the tolls.

Since my colleague received his fine I've stuck to these limits and have a quiet chuckle as everybody else flies by at 70+!!

[Monty Python]

First thing is - how did they get the recipient's e-mail address? Did they sign up to something? Looks like spam to me.