A20 Speed-Limit Order Ruled Invalid After Thousands of Fines

Politics · First reported 1 Nov, 16:18 · Updated 16:58

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

A court acquitted one driver after seeing a document indicating the official who signed the A20 speed-limit order lacked authority. The report says the temporary limit led to more than 60,000 fines and that Mayor Sadiq Khan declined to investigate; his office and TfL dispute that the enforcement was improper.

TfL lowered the A20 limit between Sidcup and Swanley from 70mph to 40mph in October 2023 after cars skidded off the road during heavy rain.
A court acquitted one driver after seeing a restricted document that indicated the official who signed the traffic order lacked authority; the report says the order was invalid.
The Mayor’s office said the enforcement was necessary for safety and denied that he or TfL misled anyone; the report says the ruling does not automatically overturn other convictions.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Road and locations: A20 between Sidcup and Swanley
Temporary speed limit: 70mph reduced to 40mph in October 2023; returned to 70mph a year later
Fines: Around 62,000 drivers were caught in the first six weeks; the total affected is believed to exceed 66,000
Fine and penalty: £100 and three penalty points
Revenue: More than £6.6 million for TfL, according to the report
Court ruling: One driver was acquitted after evidence showed the order’s signatory lacked authority