M3 Nightmare Continues!
Discussion
Still a mess!
I joined the M3 Northbound at J4 around 14.30 today and all went well until a few miles past J3.
50 limit displayed with "Queue Ahead" so I slowed down, the next gantry had 40 limit displayed and "Queue Ahead" but the one after that just showed the NSL.
As they obviously aren't monitored properly how can you possibly call them "Smart" FFS?
Anyway at J2 I joined the M25 going anti-clockwise and joined the inevitable queue caused by lowered speed limits from J12 to J11, after which by magic there was suddenly no congestion - as always!
I joined the M3 Northbound at J4 around 14.30 today and all went well until a few miles past J3.
50 limit displayed with "Queue Ahead" so I slowed down, the next gantry had 40 limit displayed and "Queue Ahead" but the one after that just showed the NSL.
As they obviously aren't monitored properly how can you possibly call them "Smart" FFS?
Anyway at J2 I joined the M25 going anti-clockwise and joined the inevitable queue caused by lowered speed limits from J12 to J11, after which by magic there was suddenly no congestion - as always!
FurryExocet said:
I think it's fine automatically, so when traffic bunches up, the system adjusts the speed and puts up the signs, this is supposed to slow everyone down and the bunching up clears, then you get the national back, so in this case, looks like it worked??
That may the theory, but my experience suggests that the system bunches up the traffic with a lower limit and as soon as you get the NSL back it all clears.It happens every time I use the M25 from J12 to J11 - lower limit and bunched up. After J11 back to NSL and by J10 all is working properly - so where exactly did that queue go? It certainly didn't all get off at J11.
The concept isn't too bad, but the response to what is happening seems to happen in 30 minute or longer intervals - it should be done in seconds to work properly.
I don't know how many times there has been a reduced limit with the inside lane closed due to an obstruction that isn't actually there and then it all goes back to NSL.
Then you get the random limits of 50, 50, 40, 60 for "queue ahead" only to find the next gantry showing NSL and finding no queue - how often do they actually look at the f
g cameras FFS! 
I don't know how many times there has been a reduced limit with the inside lane closed due to an obstruction that isn't actually there and then it all goes back to NSL.
Then you get the random limits of 50, 50, 40, 60 for "queue ahead" only to find the next gantry showing NSL and finding no queue - how often do they actually look at the f
g cameras FFS! Crossflow Kid said:
It's all automated and relies on sensors in the road.
This is why they've had the extensive "testing and calibration" way beyond the end of the project being declared complete, yer know, so they can get it absolutely spot on and free of any errors at all.
Allegedly.
Looks like it might need some re-calibration then - it's totally useless at the moment! This is why they've had the extensive "testing and calibration" way beyond the end of the project being declared complete, yer know, so they can get it absolutely spot on and free of any errors at all.
Allegedly.
yellowjack said:
SVTRick said:
Wait till this gets underway M4 Jn1 to Jn12
In many places there is no hard shoulder lane owing to bridges being only wide enough to span the 6 lanes plus small centre
reserve.
Going to be major headache and massive expense replacing overhead structures, new foundations and bridge abutments.
Widening bridge spans over rivers and roads which pass under.
That's before the M4/M25 chaos that will be caused IF the Heathrow third runway goes ahead.
That project will screw up the road networks for a 20 mile radius.
In many places there is no hard shoulder lane owing to bridges being only wide enough to span the 6 lanes plus small centre
reserve.
Going to be major headache and massive expense replacing overhead structures, new foundations and bridge abutments.
Widening bridge spans over rivers and roads which pass under.
That's before the M4/M25 chaos that will be caused IF the Heathrow third runway goes ahead.
That project will screw up the road networks for a 20 mile radius.
An optimist in our midst? Burn him!
scs1 said:
Heading back to Camberley from Heathrow at midnight on Monday I saw the Usual "M3 exit west closed" ,so I took the slip road to the A30. At the bottom of the slip road there were roadworks on the roundabout with no entry to the A 30 only a left turn towards Staines.
After a circuit of Staines town centre I got back on the A 30 at Egham congratulating myself on the absence of traffic and looking forward to a clear run to Camberley.
At Sunningdale the level crossing was closed for maintenance so I took to the back lanes through Windlesham.
That must have taken some planning by Highways Agency.
Close the M3 and then close the diversion route in two places as well !!!
Well they are experts now - they have had about 4 years to practice fAfter a circuit of Staines town centre I got back on the A 30 at Egham congratulating myself on the absence of traffic and looking forward to a clear run to Camberley.
At Sunningdale the level crossing was closed for maintenance so I took to the back lanes through Windlesham.
That must have taken some planning by Highways Agency.
Close the M3 and then close the diversion route in two places as well !!!
g up the roads around here after all!I used it on Sunday from J4 to J2, and after J3 saw at least 3 signs with reduced limits and "workforce in road" warnings.
I got to J2 and didn't see any "workforce" - I expect they just signed on for the overtime then went down the pub!
But after that I still got to enjoy the misery of the backing up on the M25 from J12 to J11 with 40 limits (when you are doing up to 20 if you are lucky) with "queue caution" warnings until J11 when it all goes back to N/S/L and the queue magically disappears - why don't they give the limit operators a proper Bank Holiday and save the overtime, at the same time giving road users a rare treat?
I got to J2 and didn't see any "workforce" - I expect they just signed on for the overtime then went down the pub!
But after that I still got to enjoy the misery of the backing up on the M25 from J12 to J11 with 40 limits (when you are doing up to 20 if you are lucky) with "queue caution" warnings until J11 when it all goes back to N/S/L and the queue magically disappears - why don't they give the limit operators a proper Bank Holiday and save the overtime, at the same time giving road users a rare treat?
Kinky said:
Some useful info here on impending closures: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/m3-a3-...
Really - all I got was a report of random issues and an overlay of a popcorn advert - you aren't a popcorn salesman are you by any chance? JackReacher said:
I'm reguarly annoyed by M3 speed restrictions for no apparent reason on my daily commute, but on the way home yesterday there was a genuine need for a speed restriction and there was none.
Dangerous amounts of standing water in places, and spray made for very poor visabilty southbound between junctions 2 and 3.
Who on earth manages it....
Nobody manages it! Whoever is in charge just seems to do their best to f*ck it up! As they do every day on the M25 from J12 to J11 (or J10 if they are in a bad mood)!Dangerous amounts of standing water in places, and spray made for very poor visabilty southbound between junctions 2 and 3.
Who on earth manages it....
I've given up on the M25 - I generally use the A331, A31 and A3 to get to the same place quicker (and it's only 3 more miles)!
Plus I don't need to use the M3. Cruised up the M3 from J4 to J3 this afternoon, then the signs said "Obstruction" and a 60 limit.
Next sign had a 50 limit and a closed lane, next sign posted a 40 limit, but the next one showed the NSL and no closure.
Still it was quite pleasant, until I reached the inevitable M25 backing-up procedure! WTF is that about - is there ever a time when J12 to J11 has the NSL? If not, why not? There is never an incident, just a queue!
Next sign had a 50 limit and a closed lane, next sign posted a 40 limit, but the next one showed the NSL and no closure.
Still it was quite pleasant, until I reached the inevitable M25 backing-up procedure!
WTF is that about - is there ever a time when J12 to J11 has the NSL? If not, why not? There is never an incident, just a queue! Well it was a bit of a mess last night!
I joined at J2 from the M25 around 8 p.m. heading South, and after a couple of gantries there was a stationary queue, 40 limit and 2 lanes closed! When I reached the scene there were blue lights everywhere and 2 fire engines parked across the closed lanes. One vehicle had managed to get over the Armco on the nearside of the carriageway and was facing in the wrong direction!
I just hope everyone involved was OK.
Next 2 gantries had a 50 limit and showed "Report of Accident" - no sh*t! I'd just driven past it!
I joined at J2 from the M25 around 8 p.m. heading South, and after a couple of gantries there was a stationary queue, 40 limit and 2 lanes closed! When I reached the scene there were blue lights everywhere and 2 fire engines parked across the closed lanes. One vehicle had managed to get over the Armco on the nearside of the carriageway and was facing in the wrong direction!
I just hope everyone involved was OK.
Next 2 gantries had a 50 limit and showed "Report of Accident" - no sh*t! I'd just driven past it!
edc said:
Going south from the M25 I think they should use the signs to tell people to move left. I join from the M25 Heathrow and pass loads of people as I drive on the left lane on the sliproad and as I travel down the M3 to 4a without ever leaving lanes 1 and 2.
It may help, but I don't think many would take any notice! When I go from J4 to J2 on the M3 heading for the M25 anti-clockwise there is plenty of signage ahead of J2, but there are always people in the wrong lane on the slip-road!
Gassing Station | Thames Valley & Surrey | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff