Police say M27 cameras are working properly after ticket uproar

Motorists took to social media last week after a number of them received speeding tickets between junctions nine and ten near Fareham^[1].

Around six people posted in the Hampshire Driver Facebook page within just hours of each other saying they were fined for travelling at more than 40mph despite the gantry displaying a 50mph limit.

The incidents all took place around August 29 and 30 and have left some bewildered as to why they have been fined. 

But now Hampshire Constabulary has claimed all of the incidents have been verified, adding that the force has no concerns about the cameras.

READ MORE: Speed camera myths: From flashing lights to the 10% rule^[2]

A spokesperson said: “All speeding offences captured by fixed cameras on the M27 are verified by the Summary Justice Unit to ensure the accuracy of the cameras and that they are all compliant with home office type approval.

“Back-office verification is carried out on all alleged offences, comparing the data from the enforcement cameras against images taken by an external aspect verification camera, which captures additional images as evidence from the gantries to confirm the limit in effect at that time.

“These incidents have all been verified and we can confirm there are no concerns at present with any of the cameras’ functionality, either with the variable or average speed limit sections.”

One driver who was hit with a ticket is 39-year-old Swaythling lorry driver Barry Adams. 

He had been travelling to Gosport at around 7.20pm on August 30 when he was flashed, along with other motorists despite driving at 46mph, he claimed.

READ MORE: What speed triggers a speed camera? Car experts explain^[3]

He says the gantry was displaying 50mph at the time so he is now unsure when or how he has been caught breaking a 40mph limit. 

He told the Echo: “I want to see photographic evidence that it dropped from a 50 to a 40.

“Over the weekend I did some time researching that section of the motorway. People have been having issues with it since 2022.

“I am very very safety conscious. Driving has always been my dream job so I took it very, very seriously.

“It has absolutely destroyed my week because I have been racking my brains to think have I missed something. If I had a dash cam I would be able to prove it like that.”

He added that others have messaged him on Facebook to say they were also caught at exactly 46mph on that stretch of motorway.

Barry said: “I genuinely don’t feel like I was wrong. It is just very frustrating.”

Despite concerns on social media though, National Highways said its operations centre has also confirmed there are no issues with the cameras on the M27.

Anyone who has received a notice of an alleged offence can contact police for more details at [email protected]