douglasb

Heading south this morning I noticed new poles beside the M6 with what looked like SPECS cameras on them. Now, remembering previous "scares" about CCTV observation cameras on the M6 further north and on the M4, I wasn't going to mention this on here.

However, on the return journey I noticed that they had put new signs beside the motorway. While most of these were still covered, the first sign I noticed was clearly circular with a red band around it. Others that were uncovered were a few "camera" ones. The clincher though was the uncovered "Police Speed Cameras" sign.

Two possibilities then - It is a clever bluff; they are actually CCTV cameras but the police want to make people think that they are speed cameras. Or SPECS will soon be live from just south of J16 up to J17 (possibly further but I only got on/off the M6 at J17).

The section of the M6 from about J16 up to around J20 does seem to suffer more accidents than other sections, but how big a contributing factor speed is I do not know. There was a fatal accident a couple of weeks ago and it does appear that high speed was involved, but most accidents seem to be at times when the motorway must be busy and pure speed is unlikely to be a major cause.

Ironically, while on the return journey I witnessed a white van tosser tailgating several cars, undertaking and pulling sharply back out, going for non-existent gaps in traffic, etc. All this was at under 70mph so the cameras will be loads of use in catching people like him....

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Nothing listed on here yet: http://www.speedcheck.co.uk/installations.htm

Unless they've yet to update the website.

douglasb

They don't appear to be live yet. There were motorway maintenance lorries parked beside them today with people working on the cameras. Some of the cameras and most of the signs were still wrapped in black plastic.

Just had a look at that website Ali. The last update to live sites was a year ago. Also, the poles that the cameras are mounted on have the SCS logo on a panel between the vertical and horizontal elements.

scoobyjimbo

I drive around j15,16 and 17 of the m4 quite alot and my roadangel 2 doesnt pick up and specs, so not sure. I think by now i would have been caught if they were active, i went through that area (past the cameras i do know about around bath) on the weekend as i was late taking the wife to heathrow and was tanking along so i hope not..:-)
J

douglasb

My original post is about the M6

john_s

iTrader: (1)

I saw some un-camera'd poles on the M6 at weekend. Can't remember where exactly, but around there would sound about right.

Wonder if they are planning some roadworks?

I'm heading south again next weekend. Must remember. Must remember. Must remember....

John.

ChrisB

Major roadworks coming J16 to J17 M6 soon, hence the arrival of SPECS.