Speed cameras installed at roadworks in Scotland

Published on : Fri, 17 Feb 2006 18:25

By : David Simms

The Speed Enforcement Camera System (Specs) has been installed at specific routes in Scotland, which come under a bridge-strengthening project due to begin in a fortnight. The speed camera system will measure the average speed of vehicles as they make their way through important roads in South Lanarkshire, more specifically on the M74. The system will start operating from next month. The Speed Enforcement Camera System (Specs) has been installed at specific routes in Scotland, which come under a bridge-strengthening project due to begin in a fortnight. The speed camera system will measure the average speed of vehicles as they make their way through important roads in South Lanarkshire, more specifically on the M74. The system will start operating from next month.

A speed limit of 40mph will also be imposed on vehicles traveling south of the Raith interchange for about 10 weeks as the bridge-strengthening project worth £2.1 million gets underway. Amey will be in charge of the maintenance here and its unit manager in southwest Scotland Gordon Allan said that speeding along roadworks poses a serious threat to life, "Five roadworkers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks," he said.

"Speeding in roadworks is a serious threat to life therefore the use of these average speed cameras while the bridge strengthening is taking place is a positive road safety measure." The maintenance firm will operate in collaboration with Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.


The cameras also have a proven record of helping to improve journey times at roadworks which is a welcome benefit for commuters," Allan said. The work begins in the right earnest on March 3 and delays are anticipated ion the M74.

But AA Motoring Trust in Scotland welcomed the installation of the cameras and said that safety of workers was paramount, "Reducing speed so that traffic flows smoothly is crucial to keeping the motorway network moving and minimizing delays due to incidents," said Neil Greig of the AA.

"High-profile systems such as Specs appear to command instant respect from drivers with very few actually being caught and the vast majority adhering to the lowered speed limits.

Speed cameras in roadworks drive


Speed cameras in roadworks drive
Specs cameras
The Specs system measures the average speed through roadworks
A speed camera system which measures the average speed of vehicles is to be used at major roadworks in South Lanarkshire next month.

The Speed Enforcement Camera System (Specs) will watch vehicles travelling through a contraflow on the M74.

A 40mph speed limit will be in force south of the Raith interchange, near Hamilton, during the 10-weeks of the £2.1m bridge strengthening project.

Maintenance firm Amey said speeding at roadworks was a serious threat to life.


Five road workers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks
Gordon Allan
Amey

Amey said the cameras were mounted on distinctive blue single or double columns and hade already been used to reduce speeding at major works in England.

The agency will operate the cameras along with the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.

Gordon Allan, Amey's unit manager in south west Scotland, said: "Five road workers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks.

"Speeding in roadworks is a serious threat to life. Therefore the use of these average speed cameras while the bridge strengthening is taking place is a positive road safety measure.

Lower speeds

"The cameras also have a proven record of helping to improve journey times at roadworks which is a welcome benefit for commuters."

Significant delays are anticipated on the M74 in the vicinity of the works when they get under way on 3 March.

Neil Greig, of the AA Motoring Trust in Scotland, said: "Reducing speed so that traffic flows smoothly is crucial to keeping the motorway network moving and minimising delays due to incidents.

"High-profile systems such as Specs appear to command instant respect from drivers with very few actually being caught and the vast majority adhering to the lowered speed limits."

Specs is bad news.

2 cameras a set distance apart that read number plates. They calculate your average speed so no getting away with it :(

Buy the licence plate covers that hide your numbers from the cam :D Problem solved :P