Blackwall Tunnel ...

[oblertone]

... cameras ! The email below came today from a traffic officer who shall remain nameless and if you cut through the job-speak seems as pissed off by this as the rest of us should be.

Summary - New 'Average Speed' cameras placed in Blackwall tunnel

I have it on good authority from enquiries made by staff at MWH that there are now small undetectable specs cameras (average speed detection cameras) sited in both the north and south bore of the Blackwall tunnel. Apparently they are going live today. The speed limit for the tunnels are 30mph northbound and 40mph southbound. It would appear that Marlowe house have no knowledge of this and state it is TFL that have implemented it. Any offences for speeding through the tunnel would be raising funds of £100 per offence or £50 if paid promptly. They have not installed signs warning drivers of this speed trap and therfore would not be looking to hit drivers with a licence endorsement, just take the money from you.

 

[mrTickle]

Update from friendly Bikesafe cop:


I am interested to know the name of the person who confirmed the presence of SPECs cameras for speed enforcement as we have been told differently.
However the truth or not of this information a couple of things to note
perhaps.

1. Why the fuss? - after all IAM members promise to obey the all the rules of the road.

2. I would find it quite difficult to speed through the tunnel - even when it is quiet - particularly traveling Northbound.

3. There have been speed detectors in the form of road loops in the tunnel for years and CCTV cameras monitoring the entire length of both tunnels. These are recording 24 hours a day! Many is the time I have sat in the tunnel control room watching the antics of motorists going home time! Doesn't seem to bother folk

Personally speaking, I don't understand how one can be prosecuted for speeding on the public highway and not receive any points. Surely the road traffic act must be used to prosecute and that includes points. I also can't see how the fine can be discounted as it's a fixed penalty. Also there have been warning signs both sides of the tunnel warning of speed cameras for a long time now as a GATSO on the Northbound entry has been present for many years.