A loophole regarding small speed limit signs could let many drivers escape fines on the A20 in Sidcup, London, raising questions about enforcement and safety.
Sidcup: A loophole about small speed limit signs might help many drivers avoid fines. It turns out that temporary signs on a key A-road in south-east London weren’t the right size. This could mean penalties for many motorists may not hold up.
In October 2023, the speed limit on a section of the A20 was cut from 70mph to 40mph for a year. Last year, over 60,000 drivers received fines for speeding in this area.
Now, it’s claimed that the temporary 40mph signs were too small. According to the Government’s Traffic Signs Manual, signs in zones up to 40mph should be at least 750mm wide.
Thomas Turrell, a London Assembly member, pointed out that this issue affects many people. He said it’s not just a few drivers ignoring the signs; many didn’t even know they were speeding.
LBC radio host Iain Dale mentioned there was only one small 40mph sign on the left side of the road, calling it “invisible at night.” Motoring lawyer Nick Freeman, known as Mr. Loophole, agreed, saying the signs were definitely too small.
A spokesperson from TfL stressed that safety is their top priority. They introduced the 40mph limit due to flooding issues that posed risks to drivers.
They also stated that all signage was compliant with regulations to ensure drivers were aware of the new speed limit.
