Reading scamera van

[tja]

Here are some photos of a scamera van that I took today. It is sited on Vastern Road (a 40mph dual carriageway) between TGI Fridays and the BMW garage.

Had a little chat with the operator after he objected to me standing in front of his laser gun

He objected to me standing where I was, stating "You are preventing me from carrying out my duties". "Duties?" I asked. "I am under instruction from Thames police to be here" he replied. When I said I was completely within my rights to be stood where I was (I could have been attempting to cross the road ) he didn't answer.

When I asked him if he realised that he was illegally parked (on double yellow lines, see photos) he said that there was an exemption order in place. Further questioning led to the information that this order is held by Reading Council at their town centre offices. A phone call to Reading council seems in order, just to verify the facts of course

[206xsi]

TJA - see my topic below! I'm afraid I beat you to it!!!

Already reported the van too Reading CC too - amusing phonecall. Jane Griffiths (our MP) is currently looking in to this.

[simpo one]

When I could be bothered to talk to them, I'd park my car smack in front of their radar box. They didn't mind, but if they'd complained, I would have said that the presence of my parked car was slowing the traffic down (as indeed it was) which is of course a Good Thing.

You just have to think their way. It doesn't take many brain cells!

[206xsi]

Re-reading TJA's story would suggest that it is a civilian in the van and not a police officer.

TJA - do you fancy joining me for lunch in front of the van?

Civilians can't arrest us afterall!

[dontlift]

So it's on double yellow lines, on chevrons and blocking a road sign, god there are times when you just wish for a 40 artic with no brakes to show these w*nkers this isnt very sensible.

[tja]

206xsi said:

TJA - see my topic below! I'm afraid I beat you to it!!!

It was your post that prompted me to take my camera out Thought I'd add a couple more photos for evidence

206xsi said:

Re-reading TJA's story would suggest that it is a civilian in the van and not a police officer.

Thames Valley Police on the door of the van but I'm guessing he was a civvie, he certainly wasn't in uniform.

206xsi said:

TJA - do you fancy joining me for lunch in front of the van?

I've got picnic chairs, have you got a table?

[superlightr]

good photos. What a daft place to park.

Let us know what your MP says

[fastshow]

Has anyone sent these pictures to the media yet?

[count duckula]

Typical revenue raiser, still at least he did not park the van round the corner and take the laser outside and hide under a tree like they do in Wycombe.

Top pictures.


Malc

[Munta]

I'm down in Reading at the end of the month - I might take a visit there, stand on the chevrons with my kids and discuss the issues of speeding, legislation and enforcement with them (for educational purposes of course)

me - "Ok kids. This is a Talivan. The nice man inside is taking pictures of dangerous drivers who are going too fast"
kids - "So he is enforcing the law on driving"
me - "thats right. He is trying to stop accidents by people who brake the law"
kids - "what do those white lines on the road mean. Are they so the nice man can park safely?"
me - "no. They indicate that it is illegal to park there"
kids - "so why is he parked there. Does that not mean that he is breaking the law"
me - "I guess he is."
kids - "so are some people allowed to break the law?
me - "well, yes, some people can break the law"
kids - "Dad, why have you always told me what is right and wrong and to respect the police. So does that mean we can now ignore what the police say as they break the law themsleves"
me - silence

Obviously not intended at a dig at all the sensible BiB on this forum and elsewhere

[206xsi]

The chevrons actually only arrived last Wednesday (I took some pics on Tues without them).

I suspect they only have permission to park on the double yellows if Reading council are involved. When I phoned up to report illegally parked vehicles they said there was nothing they could do about it if he was parked on chevrons....

I'm off work tomorrow - anyone fancy a bit of civvie baiting if he's back? Sadly he wasn't there on my lunch break

I have sent pics to Reading Evening Post and the Sun. No reply from either 'fine' publication.

[dontlift]

206xsi said:

The chevrons actually only arrived last Wednesday (I took some pics on Tues without them). I suspect they only have permission to park on the double yellows if Reading council are involved. When I phoned up to report illegally parked vehicles they said there was nothing they could do about it if he was parked on chevrons.... I'm off work tomorrow - anyone fancy a bit of civvie baiting if he's back? Sadly he wasn't there on my lunch break I have sent pics to Reading Evening Post and the Sun. No reply from either 'fine' publication.

Send them to the daily mail, they love this sort of thing

[^Slider^]

206xsi said:

The chevrons actually only arrived last Wednesday (I took some pics on Tues without them). I suspect they only have permission to park on the double yellows if Reading council are involved. When I phoned up to report illegally parked vehicles they said there was nothing they could do about it if he was parked on chevrons.... I'm off work tomorrow - anyone fancy a bit of civvie baiting if he's back? Sadly he wasn't there on my lunch break I have sent pics to Reading Evening Post and the Sun. No reply from either 'fine' publication.

Im up for some civvie baiting tomorow.. gotta do something for an extended lunch hours! and would be good fun.
Gareth

[thub]

I'm in Reading as well - should we organise shifts of camera-van baiting, or continually crossing the road and blocking his view?

[206xsi]

OK - all civvie baiters - 12.30 on the pavement on the north side of vastern road opposite the van(s).

I say vans cos on Thursday they were on BOTH sides .

Thing is, I reckon they don't have air/con and their vans make nice ovens, especially with all that transmitting equipment. I bet the pussy went somewhere in the shade instead (watch out A4 Bath Road users!)

Do you think they dump to harddisk in the van, anyone got a strong magnet?

[mojorider]

The van has not been there in the past few days, did not see it today. Are you sure about the limit, I thought is was 30mph.

[206xsi]

Good point - that's a 30mph limit for sure (won't tell you what my record is on it...)

[5ltr-chim]

From the Highway Code :

Rule 109. Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to seperate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.

If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you should not enter it except in an emergency.

So does this mean
1/ The diagonal stripes are illegally painted there ?
and
2/ He must have broken down (it's an emergency) - surely one of you whose there next time can either call a recovery garage or just go and open his bonnet to help - If he complains just tell him you want to help get him going again (you could even quote the rule)...

[tja]

5ltr-chim said:

From the Highway Code : Rule 109. Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to seperate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right. If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you should not enter it except in an emergency.

Would this mean that the local council could not give exemption to his vehicle? Any of our resident BiBs give an answer to this?

[SpudGunner]

I recently took to standing in front of our local scamera van on the A30 in Blackwater, Hants. Along with taking photos of the operator and the van.

He didnt come out and tell me off and since then I have never seen him back for weeks and weeks. He was parked on private property so did not really have a leg to stand on re moving me on.

Victory?

I would encourage anybody to do it. Got a great sense of satisfaction at all of the people I had saved money/points for and that part of the road has got the wrong speed limit and a distinct lack of crashes so "cash cow" springs to mind.