Review the M25 Un-justified Speed Variations

[carl hammond]

Hi everyone

I dont know how many of you will agree with this or not but your all entitled to your views, opinions and comments and I am not here to argue this but to put forward my case.

Anyway if you agree with my views and petition please sign it - this is an official one thats also been agreed and signed off by 10 Downing Street.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SpeedVariations/

Anyway the reason I have done this is as I feel that they are being used incorrectly and need proper supervision. I have lost count of the number of times including lastnight that the signs have said "inncident ahead", speed drops to 40mph and then less than 1/2 a mile later the next one is back to national speed limit and there was no inncident, no traffic and no problems apart from this causing a sudden speed reduction which in my opinion is dangerous and can/could cause more traffic, and accidents.

There are a number of problems I see on the M25 during these variable speed limites and dont think the constant changes from 70 to 60 to 40 for no obvious reason should happen.

I have also been through a number of these and they are very frustrating.
If they need to reduce traffic to 40 then it should be for a GOOD reason and stay at the necessary safe speed for a constant time until then end of the situation not go to 40 then back to 60 and back to 40 etc..... and only for the time that the obvious life threatening danger is in existence.

A work mate of mine used to work for an maintenance agency working for the HA..... he has advised me that the speed control signs are set via the police. As are the warning messages etc.
If there is an incident then the police set the speed limits to whatever.
If there are road works then the request from the contractor/HA agent then goes in to the police for them to set.

BUT..... there are many many occasions where the speed limits are set at incorrect times/locations and sometimes even forgotton about.... they are all human controlled....and when there are humans in the equation then there are bound to be foook ups.
Even if they were computer controlled then the program governing them would have been written by a human who would have been told to set it up too anti-speed biassed.

So I have raised this petition and hope you will sign it or some of you will to try and get the point across that although they are a good thing this is only the case when and if they are maintained and supervised and controlled correctly,

Sorry to anyone who dis-agrees with this petition.

[XTR2Turbo]

agree they are hopelessly administered and a complete pain. In my view better to just have a reduced speed at peak times if there is evidence that this helps traffic flow.

David

Edited by XTR2Turbo on Friday 5th September 10:35

[carl hammond]

My case exactly - peak times have changes - NON peak leave it to be unless necessary - please anyone who agrees sign my petition

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SpeedVariations/

Edited by carl hammond on Friday 5th September 08:34

[Puggit]

Agreed and signed - absolutely cluelessly and hopelessly administered.

[duff]

Signed - This has been irritating me for some time. Thanks for trying to do something about it.

[carl hammond]

Thanks guys - I have seen this again today check ot the following stories and pics from today :-(

Wasted a few hours of my day :-(

Please bear in mind my g.friend took these ni a moving car (it was clear as anything) she had her sun glasses on as the sun was quite bright in the area :-)

[IMG]



I yet to see any fog and I know 100% there was none today on that roead when I was on it this morning but we were reduced in speed again for no apparent and reasonably explained reason.

Then there were apparently LONG DELAYS by her junction - well this is a pic of when we got there:



So we were dropped to 40mph and it was this clear the whole journey ???

Edited by carl hammond on Saturday 6th September 18:52

[XTR2Turbo]

I have lost count of the times when they slow you down for one junction for no apparent reason.

The problem is you slow down for them and it causes havoc behind as frustrated drivers close up. I used to 'ignore them' or slow moderately but now the cameras are supposed to be digital and more widespread on this section it's not worth the risk and the problems are therefore more significant.

I once phoned the highways agency and was told that the roads have automatic sensors which set the signs and then they must be cleared by the police.

It would be interesting if the highways agency could put in writing exactly how they operate.

David

[carl hammond]

They are not as they say mate...
Someone Messaged me on the MLR saying:

I used to work for an maintenance agency working for the HA..... the speed control signs are set via the police. As are the warning messages etc.
If there is an incident then the police set the speed limits to whatever.
If there are road works then the request from the contractor/HA agent then goes in to the police for them to set.

BUT..... there are many many occasions where the speed limits are set at incorrect times/locations and sometimes even forgotton about.... they are all human controlled....and when there are humans in the equation then there are bound to be foook ups.

THis has also be confirmed by a work colleague of mine who knows someone who worked there until about 6 motnhs ago.

I have to admit I am shocked by the lack of people signing it :-(

Edited by carl hammond on Monday 8th September 08:09

[duff]

Perhaps posting in the General Gassing forum might help, this one isn't very busy?

[chris7676]

You don't need a petition. You need to complain to them. It's not only M25 though.

[carl hammond]

Putting it in there now :-)

THanks for the advice guys - I know its not only the M25 but this is one of the biggest most used roads in the UK :-(