The M6.. Variable speed limit?

TaKeN

TaKeN

TaKeN

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So, the M6 has had roadworks on it for a fair few weeks now.

From driving up and down it a few times I can see gantrys have been installed with lightup boards to show speed limits and accident info, there are also several signs reading 'Variable speed limit' (I think they read this!)

Does anyone know if there are speed cameras all down its length ensuring the motorist sticks to 70mph? ;)

I understand that you MUST stick to the gantry limits at all times.
 
TaKeN said:
So, the M6 has had roadworks on it for a fair few weeks now.

From driving up and down it a few times I can see gantrys have been installed with lightup boards to show speed limits and accident info, there are also several signs reading 'Variable speed limit' (I think they read this!)

Does anyone know if there are speed cameras all down its length ensuring the motorist sticks to 70mph? ;)

I understand that you MUST stick to the gantry limits at all times.
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Most of the stretch now from the Top end of Birmingham up into Cheshire have Average Speed Cameras, they are in the process of turning it into the M42 :)

I was told once that if there is no speed limit displayed the cameras are off, not sure how true that is.
 
TaKeN said:
I understand that you MUST stick to the gantry limits at all times.
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I'm not so sure, I use the M42 on an almost daily basis and tend to do 70mph (providing traffic allows for it) regardless of what the overhead matrix signs say.

I've done this ever since the average speed limit was introduced and not received a fixed penalty so far :)
 
WHAT!

So the backbone of England, which I regularly use, is about to become a complete pain in the ****. I only tolerate the M42 because the section I use is so short.

How am I supposed to get from Hampshire to the lakes in a reasonable time if I can't do 85 on the M6 like everyone used to.


Edit:
I can't find any news on this, are these gantries just temporary? Has it got to the point where we have to put roadworks in place for so long to temporarily install such permanent signage and speed cameras, so some people can come and mend the road surface?
 
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Oh they're there, trust me - Fort Dunlop to the M42, possibly beyond [I don't use that section much], in both directions. So far as I can tell they're an extension of the M42 system, when the gantries are lit up the cameras are on [i.e. if they say ANYTHING, even the national sign, they're on] When they're off the cameras are off - I've certainly never got a fixed penalty notice from them, and I've been under them at 85-odd

The first line is fact, the rest is my theory on how they work, so don't quote me on it
 
Lol 85mph I dont think Ive ever been on that stretch where I could do 70 let alone 85:p

Im not too fussed about the SPECS on the M6, I just hope it helps the flow better, Its been a terrible stretch of motorway for far too long, I think It would help if HGV were restricted to the inside lanes at peak times, the M5/M6 junction is always choked up liek something stupid, and whilst there is a terrible amount of traffic on there, It doesnt help when the wagons move into the middle clogging it up further.
 
South Wales to Stoke last weekend was nightmare. About 4 sets of average speed cameras at various roadworks, including a 40 limit on the M50.
 
I didn't think the cameras around Birmingham were specs, I thought the specs was just further North, I was under the impression these new cameras were of the single gatso variety as per the M42

I could be completely wrong on those points, but I hope for my licence's sake that I'm not :p
 
Begbie said:
Argh going all the way down the M6 today!! :(
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The M6 was a nightmare yesterday, from junction 24-19 it took probably the better part of 2 hours, maybe more and then randomly there also seemed to be roadworks every 20-30 miles for no discernable reason. I did enjoy that the signs kept warning me to slow down due to "skid risk", at those speeds I'd have been lucky to manage to skid at all.
 
I'd have much less problem with variable speed limits if they removed the upper limit when appropriate as well as enforcing lower ones when appropriate.

Trouble is, that goes against the government's irrational and highly unscientific speed kills policy, so I doubt they would ever do that...
 
semi-pro waster said:
The M6 was a nightmare yesterday, from junction 24-19 it took probably the better part of 2 hours, maybe more and then randomly there also seemed to be roadworks every 20-30 miles for no discernable reason. I did enjoy that the signs kept warning me to slow down due to "skid risk", at those speeds I'd have been lucky to manage to skid at all.
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It was a nightmare, I had to drive from Blackpool to Wimbledon. Took me 3 hours just to get to Warrington. The "skid risk" sign was a bit amusing, the "Narrow lanes for your safety" one was more puzzling though, how are narrow lanes safer?
 
Well I drove back from Northolt to Whitchurch lastnight. Left around 9.20-30pm and got back at 12.

The M6 was pretty much dead then, but its a nightmare usualy in the daytime.
 
A lot of people stick to 70-80, makes me think whether they are stupid or know where the cameras do or do not work?

I just kept dropping to 50 when it asks, very stressful at night.
 
BigglesPiP said:
How am I supposed to get from Hampshire to the lakes in a reasonable time if I can't do 85 on the M6 like everyone used to.
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From Southampton to Kendell uses the M6 for 145 miles. 145miles at 85 takes 1h42m, at 70mph it takes an extra 20mins. Not really the end of the world. Hopefully it will make the journey less prone to the snarl ups that usually happen on the M6. TBH I would rather consistent journey times than the same journey taking an extra 2 hours every now and then.
 
semi-pro waster said:
The M6 was a nightmare yesterday, from junction 24-19 it took probably the better part of 2 hours, maybe more and then randomly there also seemed to be roadworks every 20-30 miles for no discernable reason.
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I was there too, Manchester - Reading. Was expecting a nice 2.5hr cruise...not to be :(
 
Hodders said:
From Southampton to Kendell uses the M6 for 145 miles. 145miles at 85 takes 1h42m, at 70mph it takes an extra 20mins. Not really the end of the world. Hopefully it will make the journey less prone to the snarl ups that usually happen on the M6. TBH I would rather consistent journey times than the same journey taking an extra 2 hours every now and then.
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Yea, but if it's dry and not rush hour I like to do 90-95, closing on an extra 40 minutes. I just hate driving on the M42, so much lane changing and overtaking at 0.1mph. Then someone slows down in front of you for no reason and it's a week before you can move right an overake because someone is lingering to your right, so now you're doing 60. Makes my blood boil.
 
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