Is it time to look again at 70mph Limits?

[styles]

Either one very serious, wilful transgression or two minor ones given how universally (in England) speed awareness courses which don't carry points are now offered.

Worth noting there are other driving retraining courses, e.g. there's a course for not wearing a seatbelt, and some other courses for when people run red lights because they're in a rush, etc.

The evidence shows the courses are very effective, so I would keep them.

I've never had a speeding ticket. My Dad has never had one either, and he does speed occasionally, whereas I near enough never deliberately speed.

Don't speed (and use tools at your disposal not to speed, e.g. use your car's manual limiter when driving on smart motorways, or if you don't have one select gears that make it easy to manage speed based on the engine note rather than changing to 5th in a 20 limit) and you're very unlikely to be caught. And remember that as in England there are awareness courses offered by most constabularies now, so a 3 point ban would really mean two offences, not one.

Also, if you do choose to speed, if you can't see the yellow box or striped van that's about to fine you then you're too unobservant to be driving at that speed.

I don't have much sympathy for people who get caught speeding multiple times. The fixed cameras are bright yellow or yellow and red in Scotland, there's signs warning of speed cameras, there's a general 10%+2mph enforcement applied by most forces, there's a speed awareness course offered up to 10%+9mph above, etc. I don't think our current points system is terrible though. I would perhaps add a condition to 'totting up' that if you get multiple offences for the same type of offence logged (e.g. multiple speeding offences), then the totting up kicks in at less than 12 points. I too have never had any points or speeding tickets. I won't comment on my adherence to the speed limit but to be caught multiple times by these cameras you frankly have to be both driving at an unsafe speed and be inattentive.

That said there are speeding offences I would be happy to give an immediate 12 month ban for - stuff like 60-70 well into a 30. There's just no possible excuse for that. Standing immediately behind the 30 sign might be a bit harsh but if you stand outside a school well inside a 30 with a speed gun, everyone caught above 45 or so I'd be more than happy to see given an immediate and unappealable ban.

If 60-70 is picked up in a 30, a ban will normally happen already. The sentencing guidelines for speeding but this at 1-8 weeks ban or 6 points. In practice, the police would ask the CPS to charge for dangerous driving, which comes with a minimum 12 months disqualification with an extended retest (a 60 min test instead of the usual 40 ish mins).

 

[Topological]

All this talk of cameras and enforcement reminds me that there should be a suitable slowing distance between signs and cameras. The below example is from the heads of the valley. Thankfully, the first time I drove it the road was clear and I could see both the 50 and the camera. Since, there have been many times when paying attention to the road it has only been memory that the 50 is at that junction that has stopped me from going past above 55. The preceding signs saying "Average speed check area" could (and probably should) apply to the road as a national speed limit.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

So-called Smart Motorways should just be abolished. The idea that adding an extra lane will ease congestion was debunked decades ago, and Smart Motorways just do that on the cheap with the disbenefit of removing the hard shoulder.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That is an average speed camera. If you accidentally fail in your legal duty to slow to reach 50 before the sign (not after it), then just slow below 50 for a short period between the two cameras and you will not be caught. If you repeatedly and wilfully go through a 50 sign at 70 and only then start slowing, you probably need to get caught.

It is also very visible, so if you can't see it you are an inattentive and unsafe driver.

 

[berneyarms]

I was referring specifically to Northern Ireland. My friends there refer to it simply as Ireland, but that's a whole other story

The R plate speed restriction was set to be lifted recently though. I think Stormont had more important things to deal with than their idea of a graduated driving licence though

Well to be fair Ireland is a completely different jurisdiction to Northern Ireland from a motoring perspective - it does help to be clear about these things!

 

[styles]

Well to be fair Ireland is a completely different jurisdiction to Northern Ireland from a motoring perspective - it does help to be clear about these things!

I think you mean the Republic of Ireland is a different jurisdiction from Northern Ireland

 

[cactustwirly]

Either one very serious, wilful transgression or two minor ones given how universally (in England) speed awareness courses which don't carry points are now offered.

Scotland is different as they don't do the courses, but if a new driver is caught speeding* again after attending a course, a period of time off driving to reconsider their approach does seem to be an appropriate sanction, as the course has clearly gone into one ear and out of the other if they resume speeding again immediately afterwards.

* Most cases of points are for speeding, but TBH if a driver drives without insurance then I have very little time for being nice to them over it unless there was evidence it was an error made by their insurer, and TBH I'm happy to be very strict and go straight to a ban for stuff like dangerous driving and drink driving, particularly while we have a very high limit compared to other countries, though I think graduated punishments may make sense once we bring that down, i.e. 3 points/£200 fine or similar for 0.05-0.0799999 but an immediate 12 month ban for 0.08+ and a lifetime permanent ban for repeated offences.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==



I've never had a speeding ticket. My Dad has never had one either, and he does speed occasionally, whereas I near enough never deliberately speed.

Don't speed (and use tools at your disposal not to speed, e.g. use your car's manual limiter when driving on smart motorways, or if you don't have one select gears that make it easy to manage speed based on the engine note rather than changing to 5th in a 20 limit) and you're very unlikely to be caught. And remember that as in England there are awareness courses offered by most constabularies now, so a 3 point ban would really mean two offences, not one.

Also, if you do choose to speed, if you can't see the yellow box or striped van that's about to fine you then you're too unobservant to be driving at that speed.

That said there are speeding offences I would be happy to give an immediate 12 month ban for - stuff like 60-70 well into a 30. There's just no possible excuse for that. Standing immediately behind the 30 sign might be a bit harsh but if you stand outside a school well inside a 30 with a speed gun, everyone caught above 45 or so I'd be more than happy to see given an immediate and unappealable ban.

Good for you

It is easier said than done, I have almost been caught a few occasions by a momentary lack of concentration, plus the sneaky positioning of the camera vans which are definitely there to catch you out.

This is not anything ridiculous, like being caught 25 in a 20 or 35 in a 30

If you have an auto it's not easy to just select gears that helps you maintain that speed, one press of the accelerator and it kicks down.
To maintain 20, I have to be in a low gear with higher revs, close to the point where the turbo engages and that makes it incredibly difficult to maintain, needs a lot of concentration. One slight tap of the accelerator you're suddenly doing 25.

That sort of thing definitely doesn't deserve a ban, just a fine

 

[Krokodil]

All this talk of cameras and enforcement reminds me that there should be a suitable slowing distance between signs and cameras

Why? The limit starts at the sign. You should have already braked to the new limit by then.

If it is really the case that the limit changes drastically (say from 60 to 20) with the signs obscured until the last minute then campaign for better signage.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Good for you

It is easier said than done, I have almost been caught a few occasions by a momentary lack of concentration, plus the sneaky positioning of the camera vans which are definitely there to catch you out.

I've once or twice erred on a smart motorway, and also got it wrong in France where urban areas don't have a 30/50 sign on entry, the town limits signs give the limits (as street lamp spacing theoretically does in the UK, but is there anywhere left without explicit 30s on entry and explicit NSL or other limit on exit?)

But as a whole I find that using the limiter is an effective way of not erring. Add to that having Waze on showing the limit and beeping at me if exceeded. The tools are there.

This is not anything ridiculous, like being caught 25 in a 20 or 35 in a 30

Given the way speedometers over-read, that's indicated 28/38 ish. That's pretty blatant.

If you have an auto it's not easy to just select gears that helps you maintain that speed, one press of the accelerator and it kicks down.
To maintain 20, I have to be in a low gear with higher revs, close to the point where the turbo engages and that makes it incredibly difficult to maintain, needs a lot of concentration. One slight tap of the accelerator you're suddenly doing 25.

The choice of vehicle is part of it. It is inappropriate to own a vehicle that is hard to drive at 20mph in London or Wales, just as it is inappropriate to own a large American style pickup truck if you are just going to drive your kids to school in it. Choose appropriately, don't whine when you get caught.

Manual limiters are pretty normal on anything newer than about 2018 or thereabouts, those vehicles are now getting towards "bangernomics" territory. Set that and it's easy to do 20 in anything, or even use cruise control which goes back further still.

That sort of thing definitely doesn't deserve a ban, just a fine

Doing it repeatedly does, and for speeding in England that would be three instances if you get a ban at 6 points, as the first one will almost inevitably be a course now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==

If it is really the case that the limit changes drastically (say from 60 to 20) with the signs obscured until the last minute then campaign for better signage.

Guidelines are that a limit should never drop more than 20mph in one go, so it might well be worth reporting specific instances where it's an issue and they can either put a 40 either side of the 20 (common in Wales) or put countdown signs, both of which I've seen on the A5 through Wales.

 

[Noddy]

Which would put them at 80.7783mph?

Of course we need to understand the tyre particulate speed effect rather than tail emissions under the transition to electric cars.

This analysis of the impact of 20mph in London suggests no effect on tail emissions and that the reduction of tyre particulates was achieved because of fewer accelerations and decelerations versus 30mph roads.

However, if we are targeting pollution, then speed bumps need to go, as they significantly increase both tyre particulate and tailpipe emissions. Strong argument in favour of cameras there.

The source of the analysis also says that speed bumps ‘generate small local increases in emissions but the health impacts are negligible’.

Below is an image of page 21 showing the above quote:


Source: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/speed-emissions-and-health.pdf

Above weblink is link to the source material.

As the road in question is a hill, the speed humps have turned a road that used to be suitable for 4th gear into one that needs 2nd (or 3rd if you're lucky). This increases pollution, reduces fuel economy, and increases wear on vehicle components.

Absolutely none of these apply if driving an electric vehicle so in a few years wonts apply to the majority of road users.

 

[Topological]

That is an average speed camera. If you accidentally fail in your legal duty to slow to reach 50 before the sign (not after it), then just slow below 50 for a short period between the two cameras and you will not be caught. If you repeatedly and wilfully go through a 50 sign at 70 and only then start slowing, you probably need to get caught.

It is also very visible, so if you can't see it you are an inattentive and unsafe driver.

Are you sure they cannot do static speed as well? Not that I would try it.

In terms of visibility of the camera, and indeed the 50 sign, this is the view from just ahead of the junction.



I started thinking about the scenarios where I had not seen the camera in safe slowing distance for 50, but the picture probably allows a better analysis. All I can say is that if anyone can see a motivation for there to suddenly be a 50mph limit then can they please send me the lottery numbers.

Signs saying average speed cameras do not mean anything. They could (and probably should) be used to ensure that the national speed limit is observed on roads like this.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are you sure they cannot do static speed as well?

Not that type, there is no radar "head" on it. Some newer ones I believe can but not those ones.

Best option is of course to do what you are meant to do which is hardly difficult - slow so you pass the sign at 50. It's not like the camera is not utterly obvious, and it wouldn't be legal for it to do you for doing higher than 50 before the sign.

 

[styles]

Good for you

It is easier said than done, I have almost been caught a few occasions by a momentary lack of concentration, plus the sneaky positioning of the camera vans which are definitely there to catch you out.

Only if you're speeding though. If you're not speeding, the ability to spot the vans or whatever isn't really a problem.

People who can't maintain a speed which is less than a few mph above the limit really ought to drive intentionally a few mph under the limit to account for this.

This is bearing in mind that most car speedometers over-estimate the actual speed, because they can't be 100% accurate, and it's an offence for them to shower a lower speed than the true speed. By law, they can over-estimate the speed by 10%+6.25mph, (10%+10kmph as adopted during our time in the EU), though most are nowhere near that inaccurate.

This is not anything ridiculous, like being caught 25 in a 20 or 35 in a 30

Even if somebody can't manage to watch their speedo to stay under 35mph in a 30mph area, you can feel the difference between 35mph and 30mph. Speeding in built-up areas is in my view inexcusable.

If you have an auto it's not easy to just select gears that helps you maintain that speed, one press of the accelerator and it kicks down.

Driven a dozen different automatic cars and vans and can't say I understand this issue at all. Most (not all) also will allow cruise control even at 20mph, certainly at 30mph, and the vast majority of autos on the road today will have speed limiters. My car is admittedly manual, so I don't experience this every day, but can't say I've experienced it. Most automatic cars also come with some element of manual control. Sadly a lot of drivers don't take the time to learn the controls available in their cars. I mean the decade-old automatic Fiesta we have (thankfully not Power****!) which cost a couple of grand recently has gear shift paddles.

To maintain 20, I have to be in a low gear with higher revs, close to the point where the turbo engages and that makes it incredibly difficult to maintain, needs a lot of concentration. One slight tap of the accelerator you're suddenly doing 25.

I don't buy that a slight tap of the accelerator takes a (normal) car from 20mph to 25mph. Even if it did, for this rare event to happen exactly at the point the driver happens to be going past a speed camera, which is a significant trigger for people to glance at their speedo, is incredibly unlucky and the sign of inattentive driving.

That sort of thing definitely doesn't deserve a ban, just a fine

I agree, every now and then. But to rack up multiple speeding offences like this shows inattentiveness or a poor control of a vehicle in my view.

 

[Merle Haggard]

England and Wales. Scotland didn’t change their limits at the same time. https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/national-speed-management-review/

Sorry, jumped to a conclusion.


///

The 'National Speed Limits apply sign is of course a '/' in a red circle. But, on the North Wales A55 there were (don't know if there still are) certainly signs showing '70' in a red circle. It doesn't seem to me to logically mean 'National Speed Limits apply' as obviously some of these are below 70 mph.

 

[Topological]

The source of the analysis also says that speed bumps ‘generate small local increases in emissions but the health impacts are negligible’.

Below is an image of page 21 showing the above quote:

View attachment 186577
Source: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/speed-emissions-and-health.pdf

Above weblink is link to the source material.



Absolutely none of these apply if driving an electric vehicle so in a few years wonts apply to the majority of road users.

Sadly TFL are being very political there.

Research continually shows large increases in pollution around speed bumps.

Air pollution with particulate matter at speed bumps was assessed analysing speed bumps structures of different types installed in Lithuania's different residential areas. According to the research it was found particulate pollution at different car number and relative humidity. As determined according to the results of the performed research, air pollution with particulate matter increases by 2–5 times.

From: Baltrėnas, H. P., Januševičius, T., & Chlebnikovas, A. (2017). Research into the impact of speed bumps on particulate matter air pollution. Measurement, 100, 62-67.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The 'National Speed Limits apply sign is of course a '/' in a red circle.

No red circle, just on a round sign with a white background.

But, on the North Wales A55 there were (don't know if there still are) certainly signs showing '70' in a red circle. It doesn't seem to me to logically mean 'National Speed Limits apply' as obviously some of these are below 70 mph.

The 70s on the North Wales Coast are because sections of that are a "special road" but not a motorway and so were they not present there would be no speed limit at all for cars on that stretch of road. (I believe lower limits for lorries etc are under different legislation and would still apply). When you leave the "special road" section you get a regular NSL sign and the 70 repeaters stop.

You also get 70s on motorway on ramps in Scotland, but I believe that's just different signage conventions as Scotland does like to be different, possibly because there'll be far more Scots who rarely encounter one than English people.

Curiously, the reason for it being a special road is to do with the agreement with BR when they agreed to build on the old trackbed and divert the railway. I forget the exact detail though.

 

[brad465]

Also worth adding that speed bumps are generally terrible for cyclists, and often quite dangerous especially if poorly maintained (which is most of them).

The bus-friendly ones are brilliant for cyclists for obvious reasons, however for cars they are nasty compared to full road with humps.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Absolutely none of these apply if driving an electric vehicle so in a few years wonts apply to the majority of road users.

So electric vehicles don't have rubber tyres, springs or shock absorbers? That's news to me!

 

[styles]

The 70s on the North Wales Coast are because sections of that are a "special road" but not a motorway and so were they not present there would be no speed limit at all for cars on that stretch of road. (I believe lower limits for lorries etc are under different legislation and would still apply). When you leave the "special road" section you get a regular NSL sign and the 70 repeaters stop.

Just to explain this a bit further.

To create a special road requires a statutory instrument. The legislation for these requires that a speed limit be specified. Where a speed limit is specified, it must be displayed using the number in a red circle, even if the number happens to be the same as the national speed limit, because the national speed limit is the absence of a designated speed limit (and for complicated reasons explained in case law, a driver must be able to obviously identify the speed of a road in order to be prosecuted for speeding).

Regarding vehicle types, yes, there are limits specified by class, which actually works differently in Northern Ireland. Perhaps too dry a topic for this post!

You also get 70s on motorway on ramps in Scotland, but I believe that's just different signage conventions as Scotland does like to be different, possibly because there'll be far more Scots who rarely encounter one than English people.

Yeah the situation is weird up here because we have devolved responsibility for a lot of highways legislation, including speed limits. I would get into it as somebody living in Scotland but SABRE forums are probably a better place! We have adopted some Westminster legislation, some not, and created some of our own.

I must admit that I'm not wholly convinced on the different GB nations having different speed limits. They're signed at each end as minimum, but it's a bit confusing really, especially for the built-up areas limit as repeater signs are prohibited for 'restricted roads' (built-up area national speed limit roads).

 

[cactustwirly]

I've once or twice erred on a smart motorway, and also got it wrong in France where urban areas don't have a 30/50 sign on entry, the town limits signs give the limits (as street lamp spacing theoretically does in the UK, but is there anywhere left without explicit 30s on entry and explicit NSL or other limit on exit?)

But as a whole I find that using the limiter is an effective way of not erring. Add to that having Waze on showing the limit and beeping at me if exceeded. The tools are there.



Given the way speedometers over-read, that's indicated 28/38 ish. That's pretty blatant.



The choice of vehicle is part of it. It is inappropriate to own a vehicle that is hard to drive at 20mph in London or Wales, just as it is inappropriate to own a large American style pickup truck if you are just going to drive your kids to school in it. Choose appropriately, don't whine when you get caught.

Manual limiters are pretty normal on anything newer than about 2018 or thereabouts, those vehicles are now getting towards "bangernomics" territory. Set that and it's easy to do 20 in anything, or even use cruise control which goes back further still.



Doing it repeatedly does, and for speeding in England that would be three instances if you get a ban at 6 points, as the first one will almost inevitably be a course now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==



Guidelines are that a limit should never drop more than 20mph in one go, so it might well be worth reporting specific instances where it's an issue and they can either put a 40 either side of the 20 (common in Wales) or put countdown signs, both of which I've seen on the A5 through Wales.

So by your logic my 2017 car is a banger? Completely ridiculous when the purchase price was 5 figures!

My 2013 car that it replaced was still worth thousands so hardly a banger either

It may be "inappropriate" but I believe in choice, I don't need anything more than a 1.2L but they're not as nice to drive as a 3.0L, which is way more fun.

I think you're well out of touch with normal drivers personally

 

[Bletchleyite]

So by your logic my 2017 car is a banger? Completely ridiculous when the purchase price was 5 figures!

My 2013 car that it replaced was still worth thousands so hardly a banger either

It may be "inappropriate" but I believe in choice, I don't need anything more than a 1.2L but they're not as nice to drive as a 3.0L, which is way more fun.

Then pay your fines and take your points. 20 limits quite rightly will not get fewer in number - they demonstrably save lives in large numbers. Throughout Europe 30km/h is becoming the urban standard.

I think you're well out of touch with normal drivers personally

No normal car I've had was a massive problem to drive at 20mph in second gear. If you choose an overpowered sports car you've made an erroneous choice and have to live with that choice.

 

[Topological]

Not that type, there is no radar "head" on it. Some newer ones I believe can but not those ones.

Best option is of course to do what you are meant to do which is hardly difficult - slow so you pass the sign at 50. It's not like the camera is not utterly obvious, and it wouldn't be legal for it to do you for doing higher than 50 before the sign.

I just think it would be a lot better if cameras were not immediately behind the limit signs.

Likewise, limits should be where it is logical (like in Birmingham) and not on rural dual carriageways as depicted (if you did not know that one was coming, what about that picture suggests a 50mph limit is even a possibility)

The UK has progressively become about "causes" and lost track of the importance of balance when getting buy in.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==

Then pay your fines and take your points. 20 limits quite rightly will not get fewer in number - they demonstrably save lives in large numbers. Throughout Europe 30km/h is becoming the urban standard.



No normal car I've had was a massive problem to drive at 20mph in second gear. If you choose an overpowered sports car you've made an erroneous choice and have to live with that choice.

To be fair, my car is happier at 70 (the electric one is happier nearer 65), but neither have an issue doing 20. I would be curious to know which cars do not like 20.

The point about pleasurable driving is a fair one though, hence the give and take of allowing technology advancement to be recognised in the speed limits on motorways.

 

[berneyarms]

I think you mean the Republic of Ireland is a different jurisdiction from Northern Ireland

With respect, no I don’t.

The name of the State is “Ireland”.

“Republic of Ireland” is a descriptor.

I’d like to think that I know the name of the country of which I am a resident and citizen of, hence my original comment about no speed restrictions in Ireland for N plates!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I just think it would be a lot better if cameras were not immediately behind the limit signs.

That's not immediately behind the limit sign.

Likewise, limits should be where it is logical (like in Birmingham) and not on rural dual carriageways as depicted (if you did not know that one was coming, what about that picture suggests a 50mph limit is even a possibility)

Seeing the 50 sign. If you weren't able to see that coming can I suggest a visit to Barnard Castle?

To be fair, my car is happier at 70 (the electric one is happier nearer 65), but neither have an issue doing 20. I would be curious to know which cars do not like 20.

Overpowered sports cars, mostly.

The point about pleasurable driving is a fair one though, hence the give and take of allowing technology advancement to be recognised in the speed limits on motorways.

Is motorway driving ever pleasurable (bar maybe over Shap and the M62 summit)? Pleasurable driving is for most an open 50-60mph single carriageway and the art of driving smoothly yet making maximum progress on such, and there's no need to exceed the speed limit to do so.

 

[Topological]

That's not immediately behind the limit sign.



Seeing the 50 sign. If you weren't able to see that coming can I suggest a visit to Barnard Castle?



Overpowered sports cars, mostly.



Is motorway driving ever pleasurable (bar maybe over Shap and the M62 summit)? Pleasurable driving is for most an open 50-60mph single carriageway and the art of driving smoothly yet making maximum progress on such, and there's no need to exceed the speed limit to do so.

There are 5 crash barrier uprights between the sign and the camera, that is near enough to being behind it for me. It should be after the corresponding on ramp from the junction so that there was fair time to slow down.

Maybe I am weird, but if I can stick the car in cruise and go along smoothly then the motorway is enjoyable. Most journeys around South Wales on the M4 are like that, as is the M50. I like the feeling of achieving distance I guess.

Driving the mountain roads is a different type of pleasure, that is the one that involves knowing you are controlling the car well. I mean well here, not taking the roads as fast as possible, as some of the younger drivers seem to.

 

[Merle Haggard]

No red circle, just on a round sign with a white background.



The 70s on the North Wales Coast are because sections of that are a "special road" but not a motorway and so were they not present there would be no speed limit at all for cars on that stretch of road. (I believe lower limits for lorries etc are under different legislation and would still apply). When you leave the "special road" section you get a regular NSL sign and the 70 repeaters stop.

You also get 70s on motorway on ramps in Scotland, but I believe that's just different signage conventions as Scotland does like to be different, possibly because there'll be far more Scots who rarely encounter one than English people.

Curiously, the reason for it being a special road is to do with the agreement with BR when they agreed to build on the old trackbed and divert the railway. I forget the exact detail though.

Thanks.
I was puzzled at the time by thinking that it could be inferred to mean any type of vehicle can do 70. Thinking about it more, there are (or were, at least) vehicle types, the most extreme of which is 'heavy locomotive' (' not constructed or adapted to carry a load, gross weight > x ), which have comparatively low speed restrictions (was once 20 mph in that case) and there's no incompatibility with that restriction and '40', '50' or '60' in a red circle. Probably 50 signs on single carriageway roads when goods vehicles were 40 wasn't uncommon.

 

[styles]

With respect, no I don’t.

The name of the State is “Ireland”.

“Republic of Ireland” is a descriptor.

I’d like to think that I know the name of the country of which I am a resident and citizen of, hence my original comment about no speed restrictions in Ireland for N plates!

That's fine. But using it may cause confusion with people who live in Northern Ireland refer to their state also as Ireland. As you pointed out.

 

[stuu]

All this talk of cameras and enforcement reminds me that there should be a suitable slowing distance between signs and cameras. The below example is from the heads of the valley. Thankfully, the first time I drove it the road was clear and I could see both the 50 and the camera. Since, there have been many times when paying attention to the road it has only been memory that the 50 is at that junction that has stopped me from going past above 55. The preceding signs saying "Average speed check area" could (and probably should) apply to the road as a national speed limit.

View attachment 186573

The section from there up to Brynmawr has tighter curves and shorter forward visibility on the main carriageways and the slip roads, because of the topography, so a lower limit is entirely appropriate. I don't see any issues with siting the cameras there, they are bright yellow and as your other photo shows, visible for several hundred metres. Anyone who misses them should get to Specsavers, and off the road

 

[Noddy]

So electric vehicles don't have rubber tyres, springs or shock absorbers? That's news to me!

Fair enough about the springs and shock absorbers. But in terms of tyre wear on your hill example the EV can maintain a steady speed, but as you correctly point out the ICE vehicles can’t, or it’s much more difficult too, without changing gears. The engine is working very inefficiently producing a larger than typical quantity of other pollutants.

Sadly TFL are being very political there.

Research continually shows large increases in pollution around speed bumps.


From: Baltrėnas, H. P., Januševičius, T., & Chlebnikovas, A. (2017). Research into the impact of speed bumps on particulate matter air pollution. Measurement, 100, 62-67.

Unfortunately that also puts doubt on your own OP source as well, given it’s the same study.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There are 5 crash barrier uprights between the sign and the camera, that is near enough to being behind it for me. It should be after the corresponding on ramp from the junction so that there was fair time to slow down.

You slow before the sign, not after. There are two warning signs of variable speed cameras before it, then the limit itself is extremely clear as is the camera:

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

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...Google Maps link if anyone wants to view it for themselves.

This isn't a fixed speed camera, but if it was anyone caught on it has only themselves to blame.

If you genuinely can't see those signs and the camera clearly enough in advance to gradually slow to pass the signs at 50 you really do need an eye test.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2025 ==

The section from there up to Brynmawr has tighter curves and shorter forward visibility on the main carriageways and the slip roads, because of the topography, so a lower limit is entirely appropriate. I don't see any issues with siting the cameras there, they are bright yellow and as your other photo shows, visible for several hundred metres. Anyone who misses them should get to Specsavers, and off the road

Quite.