Earlybird scamera on M4 bridge near Jcn 17 Chippenham

[bluetone]

The van on the bridge over the M4 just to east of Jcn17 (Chippenham) was unusually early today = setting-up at 8am and they were still there at 6pm. It's not often I see them on my way to work in the a.m. so be aware

[CatherineJ]

Thats the one I referred to on another post. The general view from my description is that the van was ANPR.

[bluetone]

Could be: I noted it had two cameras on tripods.

Edited by bluetone on Wednesday 9th September 20:41

[CatherineJ]

Was 3 cameras at 11am.

[miniman]

Definitely ANPR then. The scamera van clowns stay in the warmth of their van.

[CatherineJ]

miniman said:

Definitely ANPR then. The scamera van clowns stay in the warmth of their van.

I hope he had his own "facilities" in the back of the van if he was there all day.

[miniman]

CatherineJ said:

miniman said:

Definitely ANPR then. The scamera van clowns stay in the warmth of their van.

I hope he had his own "facilities" in the back of the van if he was there all day.

[CatherineJ]

[bluetone]

He was at the same place yesterday; three cameras pointing down at each westbound lane. There were no BiB in evidence so I imagine they are surveying/getting an ANPR hit count. However, there is the big side window in the van also so I would not be the least bit surprised that they're keeping themselves busy with a laser as well....

Edited by bluetone on Friday 11th September 06:31

[CatherineJ]

Yes I saw them there again yesterday. Makes you wonder if they are looking for someone because I find it odd that they have spent 2 days sat there for a considerable time.

I'm on holiday today so I won't be going over to Swindon to see if he is there again.

[bluetone]

And again this afternoon, though this time they have decided to try to hide their van somewhat; it was sticking out from behind some trees rather than in the middle of the bridge.

The fkers.

[CatherineJ]

Is it just me that finds this most unusual?

I've driven up and down the M4 for the last 2 years on a daily basis and i've never known them to do this.

[bluetone]

Yup Catherine; I've also one this route daily for the last 3 years and not seen this 3-camera setup before. As per above, they might be surveying = you know when you hear on the news that there are x% uninsured/un-taxed vehicles on the road? Setting ANPR up over a motorway would be the most efficient way of gathering this sort of info' I guess?

[Yertis]

bluetone said:

Yup Catherine; I've also one this route daily for the last 3 years and not seen this 3-camera setup before. As per above, they might be surveying = you know when you hear on the news that there are x% uninsured/un-taxed vehicles on the road? Setting ANPR up over a motorway would be the most efficient way of gathering this sort of info' I guess?

Normally they do it on the overbridge just before the M32 (heading east). I saw this lot yesterday at about 12.30. Had me worried for a few seconds.

[rs1952]

bluetone said:

And again this afternoon, though this time they have decided to try to hide their van somewhat; it was sticking out from behind some trees rather than in the middle of the bridge.

The fkers.

If there are three cameras then it is an ANPR exercise

They're only fkers if you haven't got tax, MOT or insurance, or they're looking for you for something else you've done

[bluetone]

rs1952 said:

They're only fkers if you haven't got tax, MOT or insurance, or they're looking for you for something else you've done

You think the operators aren't keeping themselves busy with a laser whilst they're at it? Otherwise, why conceal the van?

[rs1952]

bluetone said:

rs1952 said:

They're only fkers if you haven't got tax, MOT or insurance, or they're looking for you for something else you've done

You think the operators aren't keeping themselves busy with a laser whilst they're at it? Otherwise, why conceal the van?

Yup, I don't think they're keeping themselves busy with a laser whilst they're at it. Wiltshire plod, unless you're being a complete arse, don't give a toss about speeding. They leave that to the SCP, who aren't very good at concealing vans

[bluetone]

[quote=rs1952Yup, I don't think they're keeping themselves busy with a laser whilst they're at it. Wiltshire plod, unless you're being a complete arse, don't give a toss about speeding. They leave that to the SCP, who aren't very good at concealing vans
[/quote]

I have to say it looks like a SCP van; I imagine the BiB would want to farm this sort of work out to them (assuming they are allowed).

[Byker28i]

Scameravan has a fav bridge, the first eastbound after junc 17 at the foot of the hill

[rs1952]

bluetone said:

rs1952 said:

Yup, I don't think they're keeping themselves busy with a laser whilst they're at it. Wiltshire plod, unless you're being a complete arse, don't give a toss about speeding. They leave that to the SCP, who aren't very good at concealing vans

I have to say it looks like a SCP van; I imagine the BiB would want to farm this sort of work out to them (assuming they are allowed).

How does it "look like" an SCP van? is it in the parasite livery complete with a speed camera motif, or is it a simple unmarked white van?

If the former its SCP, if the latter with (as has been said) three cameras set up then it was an ANPR exercise. The SCP deal with speeding, Plod deal with ANPR. The twain do not meet (note the word "never" was left out of that sentence )