M6 Variable Speed Cameras Enforce Lower Limits, Catching Thousands in West Midlands
National Highways has fixed a timing glitch that wrongly triggered about 2,650 activations since 2021, with police contacting affected drivers for refunds.
Overview
- Variable limits on smart sections are mandatory, so exceeding a displayed 40, 50 or 60mph limit can trigger a fine even below 70mph.
- The most active sites are between junctions 7–8 near Great Barr and from the M54 exit slip to junction 10 for Walsall, together recording over 20,000 offences in recent years.
- West Midlands Police figures show the northbound J7–8 stretch alone issued more than 11,000 notices in a single year.
- National Highways says a roughly 10‑second update lag caused about 2,650 erroneous activations since 2021, and a data check has been added to prevent repeats.
- Penalties typically start at £100 and three points, and the RAC notes cameras usually enforce when a lower limit in a red circle is displayed, with some HADECS3 units able to police the 70mph limit.