pappasmurf

....I'm driving down to devon on the M4 tomorrow and have read on here some weeks ago that 'average' speed cameras are now working on the M4 between Reading and Swindon. Is this true?
The Cameras work out your average speed over several miles.

Anything to look out for should i decide to use the A303?

thanks. smurfy.

Andy555

The cameras you are talking about are Specs. Not aware of them on the M4, but there are gatsos on that stretch. M3/A303 The same just Gatsos, at least there were no Specs cameras up until a month ago on that stretch.

There are specs cameras in operation on M1 Southbound just before M25 turnoff, they are hard to see, but the GPS unit picked them up.

catalunya199

nothing on the 303 till amesbury after that theres about 2 i know off to exeter

pbee

Supposedly Fujitsu siemens have put up some new giant display signs that have spec type speed cameras in the casing. (they said "sign not in use" when I went past them a few weeks ago)

I have 2 problems with this i only saw one sign on each carriage way of the m4. you need at least 2 for the specs camera's.

and secoundly what happened to the cameras must be visible ect. or has that been scrapped now ??.

So I think it is a rumour as i also couldnt see any type of hole where the camera would be as those specs cameras are pretty big.

Simon C

I can't remember where the Specs are on the M4 but they are there. I think their around the slough area. Specs at the mo are easy to beat, you just have to be alert, you need to change lanes between cameras for the system to loose you.

Simon

IanF

I drive between Reading and Swindon most weekends, looking for a house down there, often come back after midnight, so pretty much going for it.

If there were cameras I would be locked up by now I think.

I have seen the new signs with cameras on them, but I think they are speed sensor cameras linked to the signs, so they can give out messages like 'Congestion Ahead', 'Queue Ahead' etc etc.

IanF

Jza

Or.. just stick to the speed limit for the short time your between them

Jza

Simon C

IanF

Don't bank on it, I have been through the Specs system in Brum M6 at over the shown speed limits and not even a ticket. I think most of the hype is to scare drivers.

g60stu

I do M4 Reading-Newbury everyday. No problems ;-)
Thought it was law to notify drivers of speed cameras. There aren't any signs up.

Stu

uksti

I went from Reading to Swindon and back about four weeks ago - nothing on the Road Angel or Snooper or through the post.

Urban myth ?

Simon C

It came from the person who spec'ed the cameras for the M6 who happens to be a family friend and is part of the consortium carring out the works.

wacky.banana

Just checked my sources: there's none "active" on the M4. However there is a trial of Specs going on at Wells?

Hope this helps.

WB

Project ST

Uhhhmmm, isn't it still a legal requirement to signpost any speed cameras? I didn't see any signs on the M1 when I was on it the other day (and I may have been doing 75mph ossifer...).

Hope not, anyway.

MattW

They are speed flow monitors for the new information boards sited on the M4.

Nothing to worry about.

Andy555

Sounds like a good person to know, can you keep us informed of any more info yopu gleam?

dosenöffner

I doubt very much that this system will be picked up by either. It is not an intrusive system that sends out a signal to check speed. I merely takes a shot of all number plates and corrolates them between distances versus time. There should in theory be no output signals from them. The only way to beat them would be to miss one camera with you plates, ie: hide behind a truck for one of them.

Don't speed?

I suspect using the A303, even if speeding, will amount to the same time as using the M4 legally over this distance.

Adam M

dosen, that does not make sense.

the road angel is gps based. It doesn't detect a signal, it merely cross references current position with those of known cameras.

The only completely undetectable speed enforcement device I can think of, are video cameras linked to speedometers mounted inside police cars.

longun

There are specs on the M4 but thats wales end not this end. However specs cameras they had working on the M20 during road works were no bigger than a normal looking CCTV camera so please don't think they are great huge units because there not.

There is a requirment to place a speed camera sign up before the camera so many yards I think and there are none at that end of the M4 so can't be any cameras and even if there where they couldn't do anything if you were caught.

Ta

jhdee

The whole deal of specs type cameras on the M4 in wales was a hoax. Local constabulary had so many queries they placed a statment in the local newpapers denying the entire issue.
i regularly bat up and down the complete length of the m4 - nothing to date if i do get nicked - i'll let you all know first -- <hero mode off>

jhdee

longun

There are speed camera signs on the M4 just before Junc 23 heading towards london. At least I thought I saw one last weekend.

dead_neurons

there's some on the way to wales from sheffield, just cant remember the exact road tho. this is what they look like

http://www.speedcheck.co.uk/specs.htm

the arm that it hangs on has a kind of 'M' symbol looks a bit like the motorola M

they're very easy to spot from a long distance.
I cant/dont believe you can fool it just by changing lanes.

/2ob

dosenöffner

Fair enough. That makes sense. Wouldn't be much chop at home though where mobile gatsos go around in the back of station wagons (estates ) and vans.

WRX Wannabe

Just keep an eye out for the old bill on the HARD SHOULDER doing speed traps

Just as i found out on Tuesday......Thankyou Road Angel

kentscooby2

err - all very helpful/ precise info
but nobody's mentioned the obvious: driving down the M4 is blXXdy boring - and unless the A303 is huge deviation on your trip, at least there's variation/roundabouts/something to look at (stonehenge!)

Cut short of Honiton and loop up to M5 'cos last bit is till too slow - though nice 'n twisty if doing in early/late hours.

Surely this is more important in the Scoob than terminal velocity?
My wife is quicker to Cornwall in diesel volvo cos she doesn't have to stop for fuel - but at least I'm smiling yet still have license.

standing by for retorts

SlowBoy

iTrader: (1)

Quite a few Gatsos on the way into London, starting from the Heston services through to Chiswick exit. Some of them are quite close together, so watch that last bit if it's along your route.

pappasmurf

....Think i'm going to give the Scoob a spin on the A303...much more interesting route down to Torquay.
Wave if you see me ....W plate Red Mica Classic with big fat Zorst.

ScoobySnack

Simon C.....

Why do you say there is a "Specs Sytem" on the M4 Slough?

I have been told by friend (patrol based ) there are none here

J

Simon C

I was told by a mate who is a trucker on the M4 that they are there, incedently he has every form of speedtrap detector going except origin!!!!!

Simon (applogies I'm wrong)

uksti

Let's cut to the chase - if you have:

a) GPS based fixed camera warning (Road Angel, Origin etc.)
b) Radar Detection - Snooper etc.
c) Laser Diffusers - SLD915 etc
d) A working knowledge of what and where mobile traps are likely to be - camera in vehicle, oddly positioned arial, bridges, non-alloy wheels, long straights, high speed corners etc.
e) your wits about you.

then you've spent approx. 1k keeping your insurance resonable and license clean.

Be careful out there people....

Baz

DanTheMan

As Baz said, be very careful out there, especially if you are going to burn down a camera.....

Several councils have put out a tender to have miniature CCTV cameras installed in regular sign poles to monitor the speed camera sites and to catch "Captain Gatso" on film

If I were the afforementioned "Captain Gatso" I'd add a balaclava to my toolkit of petrol and matches