M6 SPECS

[hornet]

Had a delightful day out in Wigan today, to witness the mighty Watford FC slump to yet another depressing away defeat.....anyway, trundling up the M6 in traffic, and noticed a veritable forest of SPECS cameras up by J19. How long have they been there?

[robp]

Are they in the roadworks?

[hornet]

Nope, no roadworks in evidence. Several sets in both directions just by the services up near J19. Definitely SPECS - yellow cameras on those sort of ornate looking blue poles, exactly the same as the set in Northampton.

I know there's been debate about the cameras on the M1 at J7, which are apparently just part of some traffic flow study, but these were definite speed, sorry, safety cameras.

There were loads more on the gantries in the roadworks on the viaduct up past the M62 exit (J23-24 I think...I seldom venture that far up!). All high visibility, to be fair.

Also noticed what appear to be Traffic Master style cameras popping up on green poles instead of blue. Anyone know what they are?

[robp]

There was a thread about this a couple of months back. I used to drive the M6 to Manchester 2-3 times a month and it seems they set up the SPECS on bits of road where they were about to carry out roadworks.

I dont think they are active on 70MPH limit bits. Well, I pressumed they were not and never got a ticket!

[lancelot]

When I went up that way a few months back they were set up in the roadworks that were being carried out at the time.

[hornet]

Maybe they just "forgot" to take them down....

[robp]

hornet said:

Maybe they just "forgot" to take them down....

They probably only use them on roadworks stetches. Does make you wonder, if they dont take them down they could be turned back on when they feel like it/when more roadworks begin. Both are equally likely!

[Fat Audi 80]

Let me get this straight, those yellow camera's really high up on the gantries are speed camera's? Do they flash? I vaguely remember one flashing at me on the M6 yesterday? I am now very worried about my trip back from Manchester.....

[Gfun]

Yep on the M6 they have yellow/orange back ground and look like a cctv camera with two round black blobs on each side - and they dont flash.

[m-five]

There's new roadworks as of this weekend and a 50mph limit - hence SPECS.

Although getting down to London last night the traffic on the M6 J20-16 was terrible and was rolling at about 20mph anyway!

[hornet]

Think the M6 must go down as my least favourite road...if I'm going up that way I normally take the M1/A50 route, which joins at J15, conveniently cutting out the entire West Midlands. Bliss!

[206xsi]

There are a few good routes like the A50...

A43 from M40 to Northampton/M1
A417/A419 Swindon/M4 to Gloucester/M5

Thats 2 I can think of...

Normally fairly empty out of rush hour, and not too many lorries as there aren't many services

[robp]

hornet said:

Think the M6 must go down as my least favourite road...if I'm going up that way I normally take the M1/A50 route, which joins at J15, conveniently cutting out the entire West Midlands. Bliss!

A50 Derby to Stoke.
Excellent road
Use to fly across there in the Fiesta, a few roundabouts mean a few minutes are lost returning to "cruising speed" but a top road.
Even in the rush hour its OK, made the jouney to Manc barable!

[206xsi]

Lots of SPECS on M6 - manchester ship canal roadworks and also in works just south.

Just Gatso (switched on) in the Cannock roadworks.

My question from yesterday's drive to Wigan though is:

Why does the M6 toll road peel off to the right when heading south, then cross an expensive looking brige...

Civil engineers, please enlighten me?

[m-five]

robp said:

hornet said: Think the M6 must go down as my least favourite road...if I'm going up that way I normally take the M1/A50 route, which joins at J15, conveniently cutting out the entire West Midlands. Bliss! A50 Derby to Stoke. Excellent road Use to fly across there in the Fiesta, a few roundabouts mean a few minutes are lost returning to "cruising speed" but a top road. Even in the rush hour its OK, made the jouney to Manc barable!

There's only really one roundabout that you have to drop below 'cruising speed' for though - the one at the Uttoxeter turning!