reply from strathclyde police
There is a programme of essential roadworks on the M74 in the area of the Raith Interchange which is due to run from the beginning of March for 10 weeks. In the interests of road safety, a temporary 40mph speed limit is being imposed. The Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership has been asked by Transport Scotland to operate an average speed safety camera system within these roadworks to encourage drivers to comply with the temporary limit.
The provision and erection of the SPECS camera system, together with associated signage, is the responsibility of the highway authority and has to be completed before the Partnership is able to service the system. I assume that you were travelling through the area during the time that work was underway to instal cameras and signs, in which case it was non-operational. No camera speed enforcement can take place until our personnel have inspected and tested the system and ensured everything is in place. The camera warning signage planned for the roadworks is clear and indicates that it is an average speed system not a fixed point camera.
Amey Highways is the agent for this trunk road and they have issued two press releases, a fortnight apart, which highlighted the fact that the camera system will be in place and why it is required. I attach one for your information. This story was covered extensively in the media.
In conclusion, I can assure you that the system was not operational when you drove past during last weekend. The whole purpose of the safety cameras is to deter drivers from speeding through the roadworks not to catch offenders. We operate a SPECS system on a 32 mile stretch of the A77 in South Ayrshire which has had a massive effect in reducing excessive speeds and has only recorded 49 offenders in its first six months of operation - an excellent result when you consider that there are more than 30,000 vehicles a day using the road.
I trust this addresses your query.
ninja
Thought there was a hole in the tank.
