Motorway Overhead Gantry Speed Cameras

**scottland** · 06-08-08, 15:56

OK, did a search and found nothing, so has anyone got any information about the plague of speed cameras that seem to have just appeared facing the back of your vehicle, mounted on the overhead gantries on most of the motorways I go on.

The lines on the road have been there for some time, but it's only recently, while stuck in traffic, I noticed the insidious little bastard boxes merrily flashing away on the other side of the road......since then seen loads of them all along the M20, M25, M23, M1, M4....none so far on the M2 , but I'm sure it won't be long.

They're well hidden behind the signs, in that you need to be looking behind you to see them and certainly not fluorescent or reflective!

Anybody been caught by one yet?

Kinda makes Motorways a lot less efficient for getting anywhere in a hurry!

**dodgy** · 06-08-08, 16:11

You probably use different motorways to me....the ones I've seen have been on the M25 and M42 (in the variable speed limit area, and they only seem to operate when the variable speed limit is on) - and on the M20 around Ashford (think?) where I believe a similar system operates

Dunno about elsewhere. I believe "they" have a rule where fixed speed cameras aren't allowed to operate on NSL motorways, purely on the basis that otherwise the Mways would be peppered with them and they haven't been, up to now

**RiceBurner** · 06-08-08, 16:14

Originally Posted by scottland

OK, did a search and found nothing, so has anyone got any information about the plague of speed cameras that seem to have just appeared facing the back of your vehicle, mounted on the overhead gantries on most of the motorways I go on.

The lines on the road have been there for some time, but it's only recently, while stuck in traffic, I noticed the insidious little bastard boxes merrily flashing away on the other side of the road......since then seen loads of them all along the M20, M25, M23, M1, M4....none so far on the M2 , but I'm sure it won't be long.

They're well hidden behind the signs, in that you need to be looking behind you to see them and certainly not fluorescent or reflective!

Anybody been caught by one yet?

Kinda makes Motorways a lot less efficient for getting anywhere in a hurry!

Have to admit - I've not yet seen a single one flash.

ever.

**TheEnglishman** · 06-08-08, 16:36

Yep - seen them go off around Jn12 clockwise on the M25. There's a rumour that they've recently been upgraded to digital HADECS ones and may well now go off if the variable spped limits aren't on. The limit *may* be 80, but as I never go over 80 I've not (yet) been caught.

And it's 'poor obs' is you miss the 'kin huge camera signs on the gantrys...

**Metz** · 06-08-08, 16:42

I got 'done' years ago on the M25 variable speed limit section around Heathrow..... however, I utilised a tactic that was recommended to me at the time...and got away with it. And it's a simple one, but it only applies to that particular set of cameras on that specific part of the M25.

And it's this. As long as it's a reasonable speed (ie: < 90 mph, lets say), simply send it back and demand your day in court. Do NOT pay the fine. Apparently, they will only ever prosecute for speeding offences on that section if they are considered extreem. The reason ? They do not wish to have the accuracy of the cameras in that area called into question in court....due to the fact that the designers of the radar detectors fitted to those cameras never certified them to operate so close to Europes LARGEST ATC radar !

**Tomcat** · 06-08-08, 17:35

Originally Posted by Metz

I got 'done' years ago on the M25 variable speed limit section around Heathrow..... however, I utilised a tactic that was recommended to me at the time...and got away with it. And it's a simple one, but it only applies to that particular set of cameras on that specific part of the M25.

And it's this. As long as it's a reasonable speed (ie: < 90 mph, lets say), simply send it back and demand your day in court. Do NOT pay the fine. Apparently, they will only ever prosecute for speeding offences on that section if they are considered extreem. The reason ? They do not wish to have the accuracy of the cameras in that area called into question in court....due to the fact that the designers of the radar detectors fitted to those cameras never certified them to operate so close to Europes LARGEST ATC radar !

Sound like an urban myth to me, considering Gatsos work on a different wavelength from ATC radar. However there was a whole saga over these things, which somebody posted up on VD centuries ago. IIRC there was a dispute over access between the folk who run the motorways and the scameraship, and it ended up with the films never being changed so no tickets issued.

More recently I have heard they are going digital, and most of them seem to have been removed (despite all the camera signs on the gantries). I'll be interested to hear how that turns out, as the last few times I've been through there people were being fairly liberal with interpretation of the limits (NSL and variable).

Re cameras on motorways, they already have fixed cameras on restricted limit sections, gatsos and SPECS on NSL dual carriageways and Scamera vans on some NSL motorways. I think it's a bit hopeful to suggest they will ignore the ~~profitmaking potential~~ awful death toll they could stop with fixed cameras on motorways for much longer.

**Mr. Dazzle** · 06-08-08, 17:47

Originally Posted by dodgy

You probably use different motorways to me....the ones I've seen have been on the M25 and M42 (in the variable speed limit area, and they only seem to operate when the variable speed limit is on) - and on the M20 around Ashford (think?) where I believe a similar system operates

Dunno about elsewhere. I believe "they" have a rule where fixed speed cameras aren't allowed to operate on NSL motorways, purely on the basis that otherwise the Mways would be peppered with them and they haven't been, up to now

What about SPECS cameras? There're some on the M1 south of J23 (or at least, that's where I remember 'em being, could be north of 24 TBH

) and also on the M27 just before Portsmouth...

**Hawkman** · 06-08-08, 17:52

I'll let you know. A mate was coming down the M1 today and making progress through avg speed section which was hopefully still only forward facing cameras. If he gets a NIP I'll let y'all know.

**dodgy** · 06-08-08, 21:28

Originally Posted by Mr. Dazzle

What about SPECS cameras? There're some on the M1 south of J23 (or at least, that's where I remember 'em being, could be north of 24 TBH

)

Roadworks. Note the "NSL" in my original post.....

SPECS has been used on roadworks on motorways to enforce 40/50 limits for ages. I've never seen it used for a 70 though, and don't believe it's ever been done, or they'd leave it in after the roadworks are done, wouldn't they?

and also on the M27 just before Portsmouth...

Can't speak for that

**Mr. Dazzle** · 06-08-08, 21:30

Hmm...maybe you're right actually.

The ones on the M27 weren't associated with roadworks when I went by, but it's been ages since I've been down there, so I can't really say.

**slogger** · 06-08-08, 21:32

Chain lube and hoover dust = perverting the course of the law

but dont let that stop you i dont

They have to prove intent

**RiceBurner** · 07-08-08, 07:57

Originally Posted by Hawkman

I'll let you know. A mate was coming down the M1 today and making progress through avg speed section which was hopefully still only forward facing cameras. If he gets a NIP I'll let y'all know.

Mitzi went through that lot too I think - not sure how well behaved she was though....

**scottland** · 07-08-08, 08:36

Originally Posted by TheEnglishman

Yep - seen them go off around Jn12 clockwise on the M25. There's a rumour that they've recently been upgraded to digital HADECS ones and may well now go off if the variable spped limits aren't on. The limit *may* be 80, but as I never go over 80 I've not (yet) been caught.

And it's 'poor obs' is you miss the 'kin huge camera signs on the gantrys...

Well....I.....erm, to be fair, there are speed camera signs littered about all over the place, and not a speed camera in sight, usually, they're there to inform you there are speed cameras, say, in the town you're entering, although not necessarily in the immediate vicinity. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

As for only being in variable speed limit areas....I'm seeing these things all over the place now, there are some on the M20 just outside of Maidstone as well....and the place I saw them flashing merrily away was on the M4 about 5 miles or so before Heston services. They did seem to be flashing most cars that went past in the fast lane, with few exceptions. Is that a variable speed area?

**Rev Fred** · 07-08-08, 12:10

On the M25 there are many gantrys, but only some have cameras on them, and in each case there are also cameras on the gantry on the opposite carriageway. Therefore, just look accross to the other side and you can see if the gantry you are about to pass under is a camera one or not.

I travel on motorways at 80 and have never got a ticket. On the occasions that I have travelled faster on the M25 I just slowed to 70 under each camera gantry, then sped up again, just as one does on normal roads.

**littleredrooster** · 07-08-08, 13:10

The SPECS cameras in the M1 roadworks J26-30 apparently catch 300-400 per week. Nice little earner.

M1 has no other cameras between J10 and J26, BTW.