Small speed limit signs on M4 through Swansea
Small speed limit signs on M4 through Swansea
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Ari

Original Poster:

19,814 posts

244 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
Travelling through Swansea on the M5 a week or so ago I suddenly noticed small 50 speed limit signs, much smaller than normal ones. I was doing the usual 70ish.

Panicking a bit now as obviously well over the limit. Are small speed limit signs allowed? Surely there must be regulatory sizes.

And does anyone know if there are cameras on this section..?

Also going into Wales across the bridge approaching the toll, 70 goes to 50, very light traffic so I came through the first signs gently backing off from 70ish, suddenly spot a scamera van on the overhead bridge thing, d'oh!

I've a feeling that it could prove to be a far from pointless day for all the wrong reasons. Bloody annoying as I've had a clean licence for years and years, and could easily be halfway to losing it now.

And yes I know I know, my own fault... getmecoat

devnull

3,862 posts

186 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
You mean the 50 section of the M4? There are quite a few signs incoming (westbound) into Swansea which say 50mph limit in 3/4 miles approaching and plenty of the smaller 50 mph signs along the section.

There is one fixed camera, eastbound (leaving swansea), and here it is courtesy of google steetview - note that it certainly does flash as I see emergency vehicles go past it quite a lot:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

There used to be a westbound camera, but it was removed (!!) because of the massive congestion it used to cause.


Pork

9,455 posts

263 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
The spot where you mention as you come of the bridge is a known spot for camera vans.


jhfozzy

1,345 posts

219 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
There are no 50mph signs on the M4 motorway in Swansea [unless they were for a temporary roadwork limit].

The nearest 50mph zone is in Port Talbot, which is the next county across to the East, going from Jctn 41 to 40. There are large 50mph signs just before Jctn 40 going Eastbound and just before Jctn 41 going Westbound. There is no camera Westbound [it was removed] and the Eastbound one is empty of film* although it still flashes. [*Don't quote me in your defence if they ever decide to fill it with film again].

The 50mph plaza coming Westbound into the bridge tolls is a favourite for the Scamera van as mentioned.

davepoth

29,395 posts

228 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
Pork said:
The spot where you mention as you come of the bridge is a known spot for camera vans.
Yep. Got pinged there myself, allegedly for 88 in the 50. frown

Went to court and got found not guilty. smile

TheStoat

1,498 posts

250 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
davepoth said:
Yep. Got pinged there myself, allegedly for 88 in the 50. frown

Went to court and got found not guilty. smile
More details please - I think I'm right in assuming a good percentage of the PH mob would like to join in your celebrations. Even if we're late to the party smile

timbo48

688 posts

211 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
Scamera vans on the M4 through Wales seem to park on bridges just around a bend in the motorway and then right into the left of the bridge (that is if you're heading westward) so that you don't see them until it's too late. At least they don't wear camaflage and hide in the bushes as in France.......

Ari

Original Poster:

19,814 posts

244 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
devnull said:
You mean the 50 section of the M4? There are quite a few signs incoming (westbound) into Swansea which say 50mph limit in 3/4 miles approaching and plenty of the smaller 50 mph signs along the section.

There is one fixed camera, eastbound (leaving swansea), and here it is courtesy of google steetview - note that it certainly does flash as I see emergency vehicles go past it quite a lot:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

There used to be a westbound camera, but it was removed (!!) because of the massive congestion it used to cause.
Phew, we were westbound!

Ari

Original Poster:

19,814 posts

244 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
Pork said:
The spot where you mention as you come of the bridge is a known spot for camera vans.
I can believe it, a good money making racket out of people slowing normally in light traffic.

x type

1,018 posts

219 months

Tuesday 15th March 2011
quotequote all
devnull said:
There used to be a westbound camera, but it was removed (!!) because of the massive congestion it used to cause.
Be very careful there , the fixed camera has gone BUT I have seen a camera van parked in that spot and 2 guys in work got speeding tickets from the censored scamera