September 2006
The last 5 laps of today's Moto GP were more fun than a season of F1, ruined as it is by driver's with big egos and way too much politicking and rule juggling. F1 - Keep it simple and make it fun and watchable - not the current hi-tech procession of boredom Read more
Some new roadworks are in the process of being introduced betwen M25 & The Hatfield Tunnel, which seem to involve coning off of the hard shoulder.
At present rather than the usual warnings of the approaching speed limit at 1 mile, 400 yds, 200 yds etc, there is just a solitary mandatory 40mph sign to introduce the start of the lower limit, so the limit goes from from 70mph to 40mph.
I have spotted the odd SPECS camera on this stretch though some of the posts don't have cameras on the yet.
There are no warning signs about the SPECS cameras.
Spoke to the Highways Agency who said the 40mph is enforcable, but the SPECS cameras according to her records aren't to be turned on till 17th September. There is a sign saying Cameras not in use, but a bit ambigous whether this refers to the CCTV or SPECS cameras. She also said that it seems they are just setting up of the roadworks, but she will put forward my views of the lack of warning on approach, she has received several calls on this matter apparently.
Two questions!
Is a speed limit for roadworks on a motorway legally enforcable if there are no warnings on approach?
Do SPECS cameras have to have signage saying they are present to be legal?
At present people seem to be bowling through at about 50-70mph!! Would be grateful for any views
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Thanks for the feedback.
When I spoke to the Highways Agency they said that the SPECS cameras were not to be turned on till 15th September, which by the blurb on the signs is when the Roadworks start ( The Roadworks start here on such and such a date for X amount of weeks sign ) so thats the date when I presume the speed limit will have been applied for.
Apologies for being a bit anal about this, but I travel down this section every day about 05.00 & 14.00 and didn't want to unnecesarily cause a one man rolling roadblock. Or a very rapid accumalation of penalty points more importantly.
Well now with the removal of the 40 limit signs, till Friday anyway, perhaps it shows that a phonecall or more realistically a number of phonecalls can result in action from our masters of the road!
Hi,
I recently got two intentions to presecute for speeding. They were both for 38mph in a 30 zone and both from the same camera. Clearly I was unaware that this was a 30 zone - the road had a 40 limit for many years. However to be fair it is signed.
To get to the point, I have paid the fine and attended a speed awareness workshop. Literally the day after the workshop I get another letter for an offense at the same place (38mph again) dated 5 months previously (i.e 3 months prior to the other 2). This seems unreasonable - does anybody have a similar experience?
Spud B
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"It would be a ludicrous situation if a guilty driver could escape scot-free simply by refusing to state who was driving."
I don't agree, if the Police stop you, they can see who was driving and attempt to verify the given ID, a dumb machine which is installed to provide a mechanised way of making revenue cannot (yet). If they want to stop me for speeding, then they should pull me over and question me under caution at the time of the alleged offence and hear what I have to say. Not send me some trumped-up NIP two weeks afterwards with some vague description of a location and a statement that says they can't even tell me the alleged crime until I tell them who was driving two weeks ago in some vaguely decribed location due to data protection act.
I was looking on Youtube for a test the TG team did, as part of series of supercars, a few years ago, where they proclaimed the 80's Vantage the best supercar ever made.
Couldn't find it, but did find this one which is also quite good:
://youtube.com/watch?v=P9-S1E2kguM
(I seem to remember something about bandwidth leaching, so taken the http off the start, hope that sorts it out.)
Anyone remember the clip I'm talking about and can find a copy? Read more
This was so long ago that it was an old format
programme.
Probably not the same one then, I'm pretty sure May and the Hamster were involved in the one I'm thinking of.
.........According to the Court. Suspended Prison Sentence and don't drive until you've passed a test said the JP.
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and now back to motoring. DD.
at the weekend i investigated a 'knock' on my steering since having the tracking done. I had the car a couple of weeks (306 2.0 hdi estate) so thought id get it checked.
I found some play in the track rod near the steering rack (drivers side). The play is in the ball joint in the rubber gaiter.
The car is going to my trusty garage for some body work and as he's reasonable i might ask him to repair it.
I was wondering if this is an easy repair as it seems being able to access it is the biggest hurdle.
Also is it worth getting the track rod end joints replaced while its being done as the parts are only around a tenner?
I also noticed a 'grinding' noise when pulling off now and again (sounds a bit like wheel spin but i know its not) on the drivers side, Would this be attributed to the play in the joints?
Thanks all
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I think the grinding noise is probably brake related. I don't know the 306 steering rack construction particularly, but the inner end of a rack is usually a ball joint with the ball part being formed on the end of the track rod and the socket on the actual rack. The clearance on the rack I have dismantled was set by means of shims and a nut with a lock tab. Without the correct manual to give the clearance, I would be loath to touch it.
You "may" be feeling wear in the end bearing of the rack, in which case a replacement rack would be the best way forward.
Hi Back Room,
I am working in Wakefield tomorrow, just by the M1, but am staying in Leeds. What is the A6120 ring-road going to J46 like first thing in the morning, say 7.30? Don't want to set off miles too early .... or leave it too late for that ,matter!
Thanks, Yoby. Read more
In that case,
You smell and you're pretty stupid.
:-)
Hi All,
My new (4 months old, 3,500 miles) Mitsubishi Grandis broke down with the following symptoms:
Vibratrion/clonky noises sometimes when turning the wheel (only small turns needed)
Traction control light constantly flickering, resulting in loss of power (turning the TC off made no difference).
The dealer says it's the airbag Clock Spring. Is this likely to be correct? No airbag lights were on on the dash that I noticed.
If this is the case, then would this have prevented my airbag from going off in the case of an accident?
Cheers for any help,
-Neil Read more
At last part now in .....only taken two months!!
Hi,
I have a car that is almost 3 year old and it is due its FIRST MOT in November 2006. Can I take the car in for its first MOT in September 2006?
This is because I will be in the USA for 6mths from October 2006. I cannot ask somebody to take the car in for MOT in November and will be keeping it in storage/lockup when in the US.
Thanks in advance for replies. Read more
A first MOT runs for 12 months from the date that it is taken and passed.
No - a first MOT can run for 13 months if taken up to one calendar month before it's 3rd birthday so long as you produce the V5 and tell them before the test.
hi have got a 406 turbo, which is coming up for a belt change. it's the XU10J2TE engine and i assume the tensioner setup will be similer to the XU10J2 steup found in the 306 xsi as i beleive the turbo design to be based on the 8 valve xsi lump? also any hints tips on what to look out for while it's being done? it's getting new tensioners and water pump as standard so think that will cover everything apart from checking the auxiliary belt aswell
cheers
chris Read more
