Thousands of drivers may be eligible for compensation after receiving speeding fines on the A20 near Sidcup, following claims that temporary speed limit signs were installed at half the required size.
Around 60,000 motorists were fined when the speed limit was reduced from 70mph to 40mph in October 2023 due to hazardous flooding caused by blocked roadside drains. The temporary limit was put in place for a year to prevent further accidents, including one incident where a car skidded into a petrol station.
Thomas Turrell, a Conservative London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley, alleged that Transport for London (TfL) deliberately used smaller signs, measuring just 450mm wide instead of the legally required 900mm. He argued that many drivers were unaware of the change and unfairly penalized.
Photographs taken by residents appear to support these claims, and motoring lawyer Nick Freeman, known as "Mr Loophole," stated the signs were "definitely too small," making them difficult for drivers to see. The Government’s Traffic Signs Manual specifies that speed limit signs in areas of up to 40mph should be at least 750mm wide.
However, TfL has strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all signage complied with regulations and was installed to ensure driver awareness. A spokesperson emphasized that safety was the priority and that the 40mph limit was necessary to reduce risks caused by flooding.
Among those affected was LBC radio presenter Iain Dale, whose trial for a speeding offence collapsed when a key police witness failed to appear. Dale argued that only a single small 40mph sign was visible on the left side of the road, making it difficult to see, particularly at night.
The minimum penalty for speeding includes a £100 fine and three penalty points, though some drivers may be eligible for a speed awareness course instead.
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