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Highway Code warning as drivers risking speeding fines on motorways

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Millions of us use the motorway everyday, but may be putting ourselves at risk of speeding fined due to an incorrect understanding of motorway cameras.

One motoring expert has warned drivers not to get caught out by an old tale that could leave them with a fine, points on their licence and even a driving ban.

Graham Conway, from leading vehicle leasing firm Select Car Leasing , explained that a surprisingly large number of drivers still believe smart motorway cameras are NOT in operation all of the time.


UK speed limits explained


That’s false – and gantry cameras can still snare speeders going above 70mph even when no variable limit is in place.

He said: “We hear this quite often, but it’s something that could potentially ruin your day if you get it wrong.

“It appears that many motorists think the speed cameras on smart motorways are only in operation when the matrix signs on the gantries show a variable speed limit, say 50mph or 60mph.

“They are aware that they need to slow down when they see this, but wrongly believe that at other times they won’t get clocked breaking the speed limit, as long as they don’t encounter the police.

“This simply is not right. Online motoring forums are full of accounts from drivers who’ve been caught out in such a manner.

“And the penalties for breaking the speed limit on a motorway can be severe. That’s as well as being dangerous and putting lives at risk, of course.”

Smart motorways have become a prominent feature of the UK’s road network, offering increased capacity and improved traffic flow.


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But these dynamic highways also come with unique safety considerations. They utilise variable speed limits to manage traffic flow and enhance safety – depending on traffic conditions, accidents or roadworks.

The smart motorway speed camera myth is one of many commonly-held misconceptions that can catch out drivers.

Another is that there is no speed limit on the M6 toll road, in the West Midlands, because it is run by a private company – which is also incorrect.

Mr Conway added: “The big message here is simple: Don’t speed. Road safety charity Brake! says speeding contributes to 105,000 road crashes and leads to more than 1,500 deaths every year.

“Good drivers are aware of the rules and abide by them, while also being conscious of the conditions on the day and what other road users are doing.

“It can be tempting at this time of year, when schedules are busy and you’re trying to get somewhere on time, to put your foot down.

“But it’s much better to get there slightly late and still in one piece than to not get there at all.”





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Crime & Safety

Michael Caine’s £9m riverside manor unsold after a year

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The Grade II listed mansion near Wallingford was first listed in early June last year and since then a buyer has not been found.

Initially it was priced at £10m by agent Savills but in February the classic 17th-century English country home was pulled from the market and then relaunched in March at £1m less than its original listing.

READ MORE: Former CEO at Oxford International College charged with £5m fraud

It is now priced at £9m.

Mr Caine lived there with his family from 1984 to 1999, with the legendary actor, who played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, selling the property in 2020.

At that time it was listed on the market for £6.95m.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Michael Caine

The former Oxfordshire home of Michael Caine has returned to the market for £9 millionSir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Its listing states: “Architecturally interesting, this Grade II listed 17th century, quintessentially English country house affords its future custodian a true Swallows and Amazons lifestyle.

“Marrying period charm with the convenience of 21st century living, Rectory Farm House provides the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale.

“It is a perfect country retreat for those seeking a private edge of village estate, hidden from view.”

The former Oxfordshire home of Michael Caine has returned to the market for £9 millionSir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

With 600 feet of River Thames frontage, the six-bedroom mansion comes with a Moroccan-style jacuzzi, a sauna and a 100,000-litre swimming pool.

In addition, it has two kitchens, five bathrooms, a music room, a drawing room and sitting rooms.

It also has on the ground floor a utility room, gym, plant room, boot room and two lavatories.

Outside Sir Michael added extensively to the 17,000 sq ft property and planted many specimen trees in the grounds.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Property agent Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley, said: “Situated on the longest stretch of the Thames between locks, Rectory Farm House offers hours of hassle-free boating.

“Despite its 600 feet of frontage, the house cannot be seen from the river and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.

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“Beneath the formal lawns, waterside meadows are also a haven for all manner of wildlife, including otters, swans, kingfishers, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, buzzards, rooks and deer.”

Outside, and included in the purchase, is a cottage equipped with a sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite and mezzanine bedroom suite.

A three bay, timber clad garage provides an additional three car ports, a large machinery store, a log store and a first floor storage room.

In addition, there is a lodge that is presently used as staff accommodation.





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Ducati Monster found by Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire

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The rural crime police found and recovered a red Ducati Monster in the Cane End area of south Oxfordshire, close to Reading.

According to officers, the bike was involved in an incident last month where it failed to stop for blue lights and made off in a “dangerous” manner having crashed into a police van.

It was found on Wednesday evening, May 13.

The Ducati Monster is a popular motorbike made by the Italian manufacturer since the early 1990s.

Some 350,000 Ducati Monsters have been produced since the model’s introduction in 1993, making it the best-selling and longest-running motorcycle in Ducati’s history.

Its often credited in the motorbike world as being the one that ‘saved Ducati’ due to its popularity and cheap development costs





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Cotswolds pub to reopen under new owners after shock closure

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The Rose & Crown in Ratley, a village new Banbury on the northern tip of the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), shut down unexpectedly ahead of the festive period in December 2024, due to personal circumstances, according to the owners.

The village pub and restaurant, 10 miles north of Banbury, is now set to be reopened under new owners after more than a year on the market.

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025The quintessential Cotswolds village pub is under new ownership (Image: Christie & Co)

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In a statement released to introduce themselves, new owners Dee and Norm Knight-Barrett said: “We wanted to reassure everyone that we intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a traditional British ‘pie and pint’ pub.

“There is quite a bit of work to do internally in particular the cellar and kitchen.

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025The Rose & Crown closed unexpectedly in December 2024 (Image: Christie & Co)

“We want to offer the best beers and pies that we can so we need to carry out some upgrades. We will keep you posted with regard to progress so please bear with us.

“We are looking forward to meeting you all and making lots of new friends.”

READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025New owners said they intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a ‘traditional pie and pint pub’ (Image: Christie & Co)

The new owners revealed the plans include theme nights, pizza, curry and barbecues, live music, a pool table and sports games, and has invited further suggestions from the village.

The property is a grade II listed, detached building which is believed to have operated as a pub for more than 250 years.

No opening date has yet been announced and works to renovate and refresh the venue are ongoing.





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