M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

[Des Parrot]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

As much as I’m anti this concept it’s worked really well on the section on the M42 passed Birmingham airport, the permanent jams of old have gone & traffic flows freely.

[MOZZER2]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

As much as I’m anti this concept it’s worked really well on the section on the M42 passed Birmingham airport, the permanent jams of old have gone & traffic flows freely.

I would question that des the northbound section on the M42 by the airport was a nightmare pre covid and that was with the 50mph restrictions . Used to take me ages to take the A45 down to coventry even worse trying to come off the M6 way. Haven't had a problem post covid mind . lets see what happens if we come out of lock down in the summer

[dml1954]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

I’m amazed they don’t have average speed cameras on every bridge.

Personally I think it’s all about keeping the flow of traffic moving . Much easier to drive and less bobbing and weaving etc when it’s 50mph. Put the adaptive cruise control on and relax. It’s the future.

Have you ever tried using cruise control in a steady three lanes of traffic doing 50mph ? Impossible and very dangerous. The flow of traffic is fine until you meet the 50mph restrictions and then everything concertinas and comes to a grinding halt. There is more lane jumping, pollution and traffic jams on this section of motorway now than there was before they had the restrictions in place. Its just a money raising exercise.

[billy.ronson]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

The yellow masts and cameras are being added so guessed it wouldn't be long before it got enforced including the section after tunnels going east where cars normally accelerate after passing the last speed camera on the gantry by junction 25 Caerleon.

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

Driving at 70mph for 20 minutes or 50mph for 30 minutes - how does the 'science' make that more environmentally friendly ?

28 minutes ??

Still , wouldn't mind someone explaining to me how this helps the environment.

[Rjk]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

Fuel consumption.

Your car is 30-40% more fuel efficient at 50 than it is at 70

28 minutes ??

Still , wouldn't mind someone explaining to me how this helps the environment.

not rocket science really is it

[Fine Lines]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

Have you ever tried using cruise control in a steady three lanes of traffic doing 50mph ? Impossible and very dangerous. The flow of traffic is fine until you meet the 50mph restrictions and then everything concertinas and comes to a grinding halt. There is more lane jumping, pollution and traffic jams on this section of motorway now than there was before they had the restrictions in place. Its just a money raising exercise.

Adaptive cruise control. Maintains the distance to the car in front. I honestly believe If they enforce a 50 mph limit on the motorways, allow undertaking , the flow of traffic will be much improved. Less accidents.

I’ve driven in America a lot , and it’s so much easier there. If your getting off at the next junction, move to the right hand lane , if not stay in the outer lanes. Simple.

[The Bloop]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

Have you ever tried using cruise control in a steady three lanes of traffic doing 50mph ? Impossible and very dangerous. The flow of traffic is fine until you meet the 50mph restrictions and then everything concertinas and comes to a grinding halt. There is more lane jumping, pollution and traffic jams on this section of motorway now than there was before they had the restrictions in place. Its just a money raising exercise.

Driving at 70 means you arrive at the congestion sooner spurting out your pollution for longer in stationary traffic. Youre also using more fuel at 70. Driving at 50 keeps you moving for a longer time creating less pollution and uses less fuel.

[xsnaggle]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

I think that what they are doing on that stretch of motorway tells the lie about doing it to reduce congestion at the tunnels.
On the J27 off ramp going east they have a camera. That is clearly not to alleviate congestion on the tunnels. Nor is it the last check of a time and distance set up as it is the first camera in the section.

The speed camera zone stretches from J24 to J28 going west and J27 to J24 going east. If the intent in to ease flow through the tunnel there should be no need for cameras or a lesser limit between the tunnel and Junction 28 going west or the tunnel and J24 going east as the tunnels are behind the motorist. Their only purpose must be to milk more money from the motorist and is another example of the Welsh Government's anti-vehicle bias.

[dml1954]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

Driving at 70 means you arrive at the congestion sooner spurting out your pollution for longer in stationary traffic. Youre also using more fuel at 70. Driving at 50 keeps you moving for a longer time creating less pollution and uses less fuel.

It doesn't though. Traffic approaching the 50mph zone at 70mph has to slowdown quickly, thereby causing more congestion behind. The congestion isn't there until the 50mph zone starts. Within the congestion, traffic is driving at between 5-20mph, thereby causing more pollution. Apart from the 50mph zones, the main other reason there is congestion on the M4 in both directions is the existence of the tunnels at Brynglas which causes queues in both directions for miles at peak times. The is more congestion on the M4 now than before 50mph zones were introduced.

[xsnaggle]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

For the last 4 days all the traffic restriction lights on this stretch of the M4 have been turned off, reverting to the normal 70MPH limit. The traffic has been flowing perfectly normally and traffic has been slowing to a reasonable speed in places where it is obviously safer to do so without the need for being told to do so, but just using common sense and teh drivers own observations of the traffic.
But I seriously doubt anyone in authority will acknowledge the fact.

[Dave Blue]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

I think that what they are doing on that stretch of motorway tells the lie about doing it to reduce congestion at the tunnels.
On the J27 off ramp going east they have a camera. That is clearly not to alleviate congestion on the tunnels. Nor is it the last check of a time and distance set up as it is the first camera in the section.

The speed camera zone stretches from J24 to J28 going west and J27 to J24 going east. If the intent in to ease flow through the tunnel there should be no need for cameras or a lesser limit between the tunnel and Junction 28 going west or the tunnel and J24 going east as the tunnels are behind the motorist. Their only purpose must be to milk more money from the motorist and is another example of the Welsh Government's anti-vehicle bias.

If they have a bias, I hope they shift one the metro pretty quick. All good conurbations have them in the uk. We are so behind on investment here. I don’t blame WG for that.

[Joe Gillis]

Re: M4 New permanent 50mph form 15th (Be Careful Out There )

The ones on North rd and Kingsway, what a great welcome to Cardiff they are