Edinburgh and Fife drivers warned of high-tech cameras for M90 to target vehicles ‘speeding excessively’

Road users in Fife and Edinburgh are being given advance notice by Transport Scotland of speed cameras set to go live on the M90 on May 23.

A variable mandatory speed limit (VMSL) is in place across a 22km stretch of road between the M90 at Halbeath and the M9 north of Newbridge.

Varying the speed limit on this stretch of road helps to “smooth traffic flows at busy times and make journey times more reliable”, according to the authority.

However, of over 200,000 vehicles which travel across this section of road every week, almost one-in-five are “speeding excessively”.

To encourage compliance with the VMSL, a Highway Agency Digital Enforcement and Compliance System (HADECS) camera system will go live between the M90 at Halbeath and the M9 north of Newbridge from May 23, 2022.

Minister for transport Jenny Gilruth said: “We know from experience with camera systems successfully deployed elsewhere on our road network, that they encourage improved driver behaviour, which leads to enhanced levels of speed limit compliance.

“By encouraging more road users to comply with the variable speed limit on this stretch of road we expect to see smoother traffic flows during busy periods. This system will not completely solve congestion at peak times, but is expected to make journey times more predictable and reliable.

“A comprehensive campaign is now underway to raise awareness of this change ahead of the camera system becoming operational on Monday 23rd May so that everyone using the route will know what to expect.”

The HADECS camera system is a six-camera spot speed system capable of detecting the national speed limit and variable speed limit.

Chief Inspector Mark Patterson, Police Scotland Road Policing, said: “Key outcomes of Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 are for drivers to know and comply with road rules and drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions.

“HADECS cameras will enforce the variable speed limit to encourage compliance, improve driver behaviour and should be a reminder to drivers of the importance of complying with the mandatory variable speed limit at all times.”