Three MPs are demanding urgent action after a Crown Court ruled the legal basis for temporary speed restrictions on the A20 Sidcup Road was unlawful. The judgment relates to the temporary speed limit introduced by Transport for London (TfL) in October 2023 following concerns about severe flooding.
MPs demand answers from Mayor
Conservative MPs Laura Trott, Gareth Bacon and Louie French have written to Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan asking TfL to explain how affected motorists can have convictions overturned, penalty points removed and fines refunded. The ruling follows a two-year campaign by the MPs on behalf of drivers who received penalties for allegedly exceeding the temporary speed limit.
Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington, said: “For over two years, we’ve been fighting for motorists who were unfairly fined and penalised on the A20, while TfL repeatedly insisted it had done nothing wrong.”
TfL's speed reduction and signage concerns
TfL reduced the speed limit from 70mph to 40mph, citing safety concerns linked to flooding on the route. However, motorists, MPs and motoring lawyers raised concerns over the signage, arguing it was unclear, too small or not displayed frequently enough. A conflicting 50mph sign also led to confusion among some drivers travelling through the average-speed camera zone.
According to the MPs, more than 60,000 Notices of Intended Prosecution were issued. They say some motorists received multiple fines and penalty points, while others faced driving bans.
Crown Court ruling and MP reactions
The letter follows a Crown Court ruling in the case of Transport for London v John Malcolm Abbott. In the letter, the MPs said the court found Mr Abbott had no case to answer because both the Traffic Order and Notice submitted by TfL were unlawful, meaning the temporary speed restriction itself was also.
Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks, Swanley and the Dartford Villages, said: “This is a huge development and a win for common sense.”
The MPs have called on the Mayor to publicly set out how many fines and penalties were issued without legal authority and how affected motorists can seek to have convictions quashed. They've also asked what action will be taken regarding penalty points, and whether compensation will be available for people who suffered financial losses.
Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, said: “Thousands of motorists have been left facing the consequences of an enforcement scheme that has now been found to have been based on an unlawful Traffic Order and Notice. TfL cannot simply move on and expect motorists to do the same. It must urgently explain how those affected can have their cases reviewed, their penalties overturned and their money returned.”
TfL response and next steps
A TfL spokesperson said: “Safety is our number one priority and we temporarily introduced a 40mph speed limit on the A20 Sidcup Road in response to a number of incidents caused by ongoing flooding issues, which posed a risk to life. After we repaired and resurfaced the road, the speed limit was returned to 50mph. We remain confident that enforcement of the speed limit here was necessary, given the safety risks, and we will be resisting the appeal challenging our enforcement action.”
The Mayor's office told News Shopper this is a TfL related issue, so will not be commenting at this stage. Affected motorists are encouraged to contact the MPs or share their experiences with the local press.
