Speed cameras take aim at Edinburgh and Fife drivers on M90 and M9

Road users in Fife and Edinburgh will now be targeted by variable cameras on the M90 to combat drivers speeding excessively.

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” making journey time more stable, according to Transport Scotland.

The authority says this behaviour leads to “stop-start conditions”, resulting in unreliable travel times and trips taking several minutes longer than predicted during busier times.

The Highway Agency Digital Enforcement and Compliance System (HADECS) camera system went live between the M90 at Halbeath and the M9 north of Newbridge on Monday, in order to combat this behaviour.

Drivers are informed of the changing VMSL by electronic signage on overhead gantries, which they must adjust to within 60 seconds of change.

If detected as speeding, the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ from Police Scotland within 14 days; the minimum penalty for speeding is £100 and three penalty points.

Scottish transport minister 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.”

The camera system consists of a series of six spot speed cameras located at: